At the recent New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards, two Northland companies came out on top. Cathy Oakley of Winsam Farm near Kerikeri and her husband was named the Champion Cheesemaker for her sheep milk cheese. It was her first year in the competition. You can read more about her here.

Grinning Gecko’s brie was named the nation’s best soft white rind cheese, and Zev Kaka-Holtz was named the best aspiring cheesemaker. His is a story that celebrates local enterprise. You can see his story in a short Seven Sharp feature.

Other awards were won by Mahoe Farmhouse Cheese and George’s Cheeses from Kerikeri.