Celebrating Excellence in Sheep Dairy: Maui Milk at the 2026 NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
The 2026 New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards showcased the very best of Aotearoa’s cheesemaking talent.
At Maui Milk, we were proud to support the Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese Award at the 2026 NZ Cheese Award: a category that reflects the growing strength and potential of New Zealand’s sheep dairy sector. Supporting this award is part of our commitment to celebrating the farmers, producers, and innovators who are helping shape the future of premium sheep milk products.
A huge congratulations to Origin Earth (Bruce & Kathy Wattie), winners of the Maui Milk-sponsored award for their outstanding Feta Sheep Smoked, as well as claiming an additional two trophies for the evening.
This year’s results vividly reflected that momentum. Origin Earth, based in Havelock North and owned by Bruce and Kathy Wattie, won the Best Sheep Milk Cheese Award, proudly sponsored by Maui Milk. We also celebrate their outstanding Feta Sheep Smoked and achieved another two trophies for the evening.
Alongside them, Craggy Range Sheep Dairy, owned by James and Kate Clairmont in the Tukituki Valley, delivered an outstanding performance on the night, securing three major awards. What an incredible night for them, winning multiple awards, including European-Style Cheese and Champion of Champions (Boutique) Cheese for their signature pecorino.
At Maui Milk, we celebrate these stories of passion, innovation, and dedication to quality. The success of both Origin Earth and Craggy Range Sheep Dairy highlights not only individual excellence but also the rising profile of sheep dairy in New Zealand.
We also want to extend a big congratulations to Whitestone Cheese Co. (Simon & Annabel Berry) for their continued success in taking home the trophy for Champion of Champions (Commercial) with their Monte Cristo sheep cheese two years running.
We extend our congratulations to all entrants and winners. Your work continues to elevate the industry and inspire confidence in the future of sheep milk products, both here in New Zealand and around the world.
Here’s to the continued growth of sheep milk cheese, a category worth celebrating.
