Awards

Since first entering the New Zealand specialty cheese awards in 1995, Karikaas has done very well.

All our entries to the cheese awards come off the shelf in the cheese store and are representative of the cheese sold to the buying public.

Every year Karikaas cheeses have won gold and silver medals, and over the years have also won a number of Champion Cheeses, (category awards).

Karikaas consistently produces high quality cheese!

2025 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards

No trophies this year, but great medals once again: 3 gold 3 silver from 6 entries.

Again Karikaas was a finalist in the "Sustainability" award we are proud as a small company trying to do it's best for our people, our community, and our environment.

Gold Medals Karikaas Pepper   Karikaas Leyden/Cumin Karikaas Vintage Gouda

Silver Medals Karikaas Gouda Karikaas Vintage Maasdam Karikaas Pumahana

2024 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards - we won The BEST DUTCH cheese in NZ, and The BEST NZ ORIGINAL cheese in NZ

This was a fantastic achievement for all of us at Karikaas. Our run of the mill Gouda was deemed the best Dutch cheese in New Zealand, AND the Pumahana is the best NZ Original cheese. The competition for both these awards was of a very high quality so we are particularly pleased.

Karikaas was also a finalist in the "Sustainability" award - also a great achievement for us, a small company trying to do it's best for our people, our community, and our environment.

 

 

Gold Medals Karikaas Pumahana   Karikaas Gouda  Karikaas Vintage Maasdam

Silver Medals Karikaas Vintage Gouda Karikaas Pepper Karikaas Leyden/Cumin

 

2023 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 

Unfortunately Big Chill managed to lose our cheeses, so they did not make it in time for full judging and the trohpy judging rounds. However - as usual we have produced great cheese, and we have some wonderful medals.
 

Gold Medals Karikaas Gouda Vintage   Karikaas Gouda  Karikaas Cumin/Leyden

Silver Medals Pepper Maasdam

We also were a finalist in the "Countdown Sustainability" Award - of which we are very proud. The award Winner - Hohepa are deserving winners and we applaud their long-term commitment to sustainability: environmental, social, and profitable.

2022 - We won The Best Dutch Cheese - Vintage Gouda

This is a fantastic well aged full flavoured vintage cheese which lingers on the palette beautifully.

Gold Medals for Vintage Gouda, Pepper
Silver Medals for Cumin/Leyden, Gouda, Vegetarian Cumin and Pumahana

Note how happiness and smiles are catching :)