Olives New Zealand

The 2025 New Zealand Olive Oil Awards held Saturday 11^th October at Copthorne Solway Park in Masterton brought growers, producers, and industry sponsors from across the country together to celebrate excellence in the industry. The annual celebration, hosted by Olives New Zealand, recognised outstanding achievements in extra virgin olive oil production and design, showcasing the depth of talent and expertise within the sector. Congratulations to Loopline Olives winner of Best in Show and River Grove Ltd winner of Best in Boutique.

This year’s competition saw 120 entries across Boutique, Commercial, and Flavoured oil categories, reflecting the diversity of regional terroirs and tree varieties and depth of New Zealand’s olive oil industry.

Honours for the 2025 Awards are as follows:

• Best in Show – Loopline Olives Picual, Wairarapa
• Best Boutique – River Grove Ltd Grove Blend, Wairarapa
• Reserve Best in Show – Robinsons Bay Olives Blend 1, Canterbury
• Reserve Best Boutique – River Grove Ltd Chemlali, Wairarapa
• Best Flavoured Oil – Juno Olives Blood Oranges, Wairarapa
• Best Processor – Leafyridge Olives, Wairarapa
• Best Label – Goodfood Group, Telegraph Hill, Auckland

Loopline Olives’ award-winning Picual impressed judges as a well-balanced, complex oil with good persistence. The aromas of tomato and spices transfer across to the palate and are joined by notes of fresh grasses and herbs. River Grove Limited’s Grove Blend offers complexity with fruity aromas of tomato, artichoke, apple, and exotic fruit, transferring to flavours of green herbs, almonds, pepper, and tomato. The persistence and harmony of these characterises are well balanced.

Judge’s Reflections:
Head Judge Claudia Guillaume praised the calibre of entries:

“Once again, the oils presented are a testament to the exceptional quality of olives grown across the country. Despite weather challenges, producers delivered oils of outstanding flavour and character—showcasing the resilience and dedication of New Zealand’s growers.”

Best Label Judge Paula Taaffe, from EIT’s Idea School, highlighted a shift in design aesthetics:

“This year’s top labels reflect a global trend toward minimalism—simple fonts, strong forms, and earthy palettes. The winning label is elegant and sensory, combining timeless typography with organic motifs and tactile finishes. It’s a celebration of flavour and form, beautifully executed by a New Zealand design team.”

A Night of Celebration and Connection
The evening was not only a recognition of excellence but also a celebration of community, sustainability, and the shared commitment to elevating New Zealand’s olive oil industry. With producers from Wairarapa to Canterbury and beyond, the awards underscored the regional diversity and boutique craftsmanship that define the nation’s EVOO landscape.

A complete list of the award entries and results can be found below: