Celebrate regional ingredients, Kiwi ingenuity and innovative handcrafted flavours as we showcase some of our favourite tastes from around New Zealand.
GoodBugs: a taste adventure
Proudly made in Hamilton, GoodBugs belies its stature as a small home-based business, presenting New Zealand’s largest range of small-batch Sauerktraut, Kimchi & Zesta Fermented Pesto. Using spray-free and organic vegetables wherever possible, Goodbugs sources locally to support other New Zealand growers. Perfect for life on the road (the owners are keen RVers themselves), GoodBugs products are packed with flavour and a great backup for recipes when fresh veges are running low, plus ensuring you get your daily dose of raw, real fermented foods.
Anthea: sophisticated spritz
If you love the social aspect of pouring a chilled glass of bubbles, along with the elegance of a special moment and savouring a complexity of flavours, then serve up a round of applause for the Anthea non-alcoholic range of deliciously layered 0% sparkling wine alternatives. Handcrafted by a boutique winemaker in Riverhead, New Zealand, real botanicals are the heart of the award-winning spritz ranges. We suggest the Blush Botanic Spritz (is there ever an occasion pink bubbly is not perfect for?) and Blanc Botanic Spritz (a Prosecco/sparkling wine alternative). Also available in 250ml cans for a single experience.
Apostle hot sauces: flavour punch
The perfect condiment can transform the mundane into something extraordinary. Apostle Hot Sauces are handmade on the Kāpiti Coast, and span everything from Kimchi Ketchup and Crispy Chilli Oil to Lavender & Rosemary Hot Honey. Prepare your tastebuds for a mouthwatering treat, and expect the unexpected. Try the Kiwifruit & Kawakaa Verde, or tone it down with Mango, Turmeric & Ginger. The perfect accompaniment for RV adventurers who like to spice up life.
Check out the recipe suggestions at Apostlehotsauce.co.nz
Bold brews
Some of Aotearoa’s boldest, smallest and most inventive brewers have claimed a spot in the 2025 New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 25, and they’re in good company alongside some of the biggest names in beer and cider from New Zealand and around the world.
More than 650 entries were blind-tasted by an independent panel of 25 expert judges, who sampled their way through everything from crisp pilsners to wild smoothie-style brews to find the top tier of flavour, craftsmanship and drinkability.
Chair of Judges Michael Donaldson, who’s led the panel for each of the 11 years since the awards began stated that this year’s lineup is the most diverse, creative and adventurous he’s ever seen – and proof that you don’t have to be a big brewery to make a big impression.
This year’s Supreme Champion went to Isthmus Brewing’s 3D IPA, a stunning, all-round crowd-pleaser with juicy, hoppy character and exceptional balance.
Other rising stars joining the Top 25 this year include:
- Three Sisters (New Plymouth) with Lush – a smoothie-style sour so thick and fruity you could drink it with a straw, bursting with pineapple, guava, feijoa and vanilla.
- Heaven’s Brewery (Northland) – making its debut with the dark, malty and immaculate Judas Sheep dark lager.
- Mad Whale Brewing – a previously export-only outfit now delighting Kiwis with its Helles Lager.
- Martinborough Brewery – back with a standout hazy, Hoppy Haze IPA.
The competition introduced a new Weird & Wonderful category this year to celebrate beers that defy the norm, as well as a Low Carb Lovers segment, and Non-Alcoholic Category.
For the first time ever, the awards recognised an alcoholic lemonade, Good George’s Old School Alcoholic Lemonade – a refreshing throwback that’s expected to fly off shelves.
Every beer and cider in the Top 25 is now available in New World stores nationwide and the full list of prize winners can be found on the New World website.
