Liquorice, Chocolate, Cucumber & Yuzu, Spiced Biscoff and Green Tea are among the trophy winning flavours in this year’s NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2025.
Hot off the heels of awarding a record 68 gold medals, the 18 Trophy winners – aka New Zealand’s top ice cream, gelato and sorbets of 2025 – were named at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2025 in Auckland last night.
Rising Industry Standards
NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2025 Chief Judge, Geoff Scott said; “Overall, the standard of entries has never been higher. The flavours were great, and texture was excellent across all categories. It’s clear that creativity and innovation are alive and well in the New Zealand ice cream and gelato industry.”
The highest accolades went to: Takapuna Beach Café ‘Liqorice’ Gelato, Chelsea Sugar Supreme Boutique Champion and Much Moore, Wonders Strawberry Low Fat Yoghurt Ice Cream is Hall’s Cold Chain Logistics Supreme Champion.
Hall’s Cold Chain Logistics, Supreme Champion Much Moore Wonders Strawberry Low Fat Yoghurt Ice Cream was recognised for its fresh flavour by the judges. Their notes said it was ‘Visually excellent with a creamy mouthfeel, great texture and well-balanced acidity. The yoghurt gives great freshness.’ It was also awarded New Zealand Ice Cream Association, Low Fat Ice Cream or Frozen Yoghurt Champion.
Much Moore Ice Cream Co is a family owned business. Marcus Moore’s father owned the business for three years prior to Marcus taking the helm around 1995. Much Moore Ice Cream Co is a regular winner at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards and this year as last year – it won the highest number of medals.
Gelato with Flair
As well as collecting the Boutique Champion Trophy, the Takapuna Beach Café, Licorice Gelato was named Sensient Technologies, Gelato Champion. Scooping for visitors to the Takapuna Beach Café, judges raved about the Licorice Gelato saying; ‘An outstanding gelato. Unfaultable texture, the way that gelato should be! Harmony of texture and flavour just perfect.’ Owned and run by James Bryant since 2019, the café plays on its unique beachside location, serving fresh pastries and coffee, award-winning gelato and vibrant seasonal flavours.
Chief Judge Geoff Scott (pictured), led an esteemed panel of 24 food judges through the ‘arduous’ task of tasting 266 entries with meticulous attention to detail in late July. Creations were assessed across 15 categories – including Classic and Premium Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Open Creative, Dairy-Free and Low Fat Ice Cream or Frozen Yoghurt . This year, entrants were invited to create something special with ‘Best of Biscuit’ being the theme this year.
According to Geoff Scott this year’s special category, Best of Biscuit delivered some truly delicious and exciting combinations. Sounds like it when checking the notes for RD 2 International, Best of Biscuit Champion Island Gelato Co, Island Gelato Spiced Biscuit, as the judges raved saying; ‘Looks rich and decadent, well-balanced with strong flavours, smooth and creamy, scoops well…’. The Auckland maker, with Waiheke Island roots, was also awarded Hawkins Watts, New Zealand New to Market Champion for Island Gelato Co, Island Gelato Cucumber & Yuzu.
Chocolate is always a crowd favourite, with producer Kohu Road taking the king of chocolate title this year; winning both chocolate trophies! Kohu Road, Dark Chocolate Ice Cream received the DKSH & Belcolade, Chocolate Ice Cream Award Champion, the DKSH & Belcolade, Chocolate Gelato or Sorbet Champion wasKohu Road, Dark Chocolate Sorbet. New Lynn’s Kohu Road is a multi-award-winning ice cream manufacturer in Auckland, dedicated to our passion, real food, made simply.
Sustainable Scoop Leaders
Auckland gelato maker Little ‘Lato is always a regular on the winners’ podium and this year was no exception – with four more trophies for their cabinet. Little ‘Lato, Chocolate Orange Sorbet is New Zealand Ice Cream Association Sorbet Champion; Little ‘Lato Pink Wafer Gelato is Formula Foods, Open Creative Award Champion and the Tetra Pak, Dairy-Free Champion is Little ‘Lato, Mango Lassi Vegan Gelato for the second year in a row. Little ‘Lato is also Pact Packaging, Sustainability Champion, with judge Fiona Stephenson saying; ‘Little ‘Lato is a standout example of sustainable gelato – combining locally-sourced ingredients, low-waste practices and plant-based milks with genuine community and staff support.’
The Awards, run by the New Zealand Ice Cream Association, have been held since 1997 to celebrate Aotearoa’s finest with results shared with Kiwi ice cream lovers. This annual celebration of the finest frozen creations that New Zealand has to offer, showcases the innovation, craftsmanship, and mouth-watering flavours produced by the nation’s leading ice cream and gelato artisans.
Dene Brosnan, the Chair of the New Zealand Ice Cream Association, extended heartfelt thanks to the dedicated and passionate ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt makers across New Zealand. “It’s this passion that makes the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards possible. Producers’ hard work and wonderful creations make our industry special and ensure Kiwis can enjoy delicious frozen treats wherever they are in Aotearoa. Finally, appreciation to the expert judges and stewards who generously give their time to make these prestigious Awards happen.”
NZ ICE CREAM & GELATO AWARDS 2025 TROPHIES
SUPREME CHAMPIONS
Takapuna Beach Café, ‘Licorice’ Gelato
Chelsea Sugar, Supreme Boutique Champion
Much Moore Wonders Strawberry Low Fat Yoghurt Ice Cream
Hall’s Cold Chain Logistics, Supreme Champion
CATEGORY CHAMPION AWARDS
Much Moore Ice Cream Co Marvels Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
INVITA, Classic Vanilla Ice Cream Champion
New Zealand Natural, Chateau Peach & Raspberry
Bonson Packaging, Classic Flavoured Ice Cream Champion
New Zealand Natural Ice Cream, Killinchy Gold Pure Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
IFF, Premium Vanilla Ice Cream Champion
Lewis Road Creamery, Chocolate Truffle with Chocolate Ganache
Americold, Premium Flavoured Ice Cream Champion
Kohu Road, Dark Chocolate Ice Cream
DKSH & Belcolade, Chocolate Ice Cream Award Champion
Kohu Road, Dark Chocolate Sorbet
DKSH & Belcolade, Chocolate Gelato or Sorbet Champion
Takapuna Beach Café Licorice
Sensient Technologies, Gelato Champion
Little ‘Lato, Chocolate Orange Sorbet
New Zealand Ice Cream Association Sorbet Champion
Island Gelato Co, Island Gelato Spiced Biscuit
RD 2 International, Best of Biscuit Champion
Island Gelato Co, Island Gelato Cucumber & Yuzu
Hawkins Watts, New Zealand New to Market Champion
Little ‘Lato Pink Wafer Gelato
Formula Foods, Open Creative Champion
Little ‘Lato, Mango Lassi Vegan Gelato
Tetra Pak, Dairy-Free Champion
Much Moore Ice Cream Co, Wonders Strawberry Low Fat Yoghurt Ice Cream
New Zealand Ice Cream Association, Low Fat Ice Cream or Frozen Yoghurt Champion
Open Country Dairy, Green Tea Ice Cream
Primary ITO, Export Champion
Kohu Road, Dark Chocolate Sorbet
New Zealand Ice Cream Association, New Member Champion
Little ‘Lato
Pact Packaging, Sustainability Champion