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Whittaker’s takes action to manage challenges in global cocoa supply
Whittaker’s takes action to manage challenges in global cocoa supply

While Whittaker’s has to date sourced only Ghanaian cocoa beans to make its chocolate, it is now supplementing this with cocoa beans that meet its quality and ethical standards from other parts of Africa. Whittaker’s Chocolate Lovers will see changes to its packaging to reflect the cocoa origin change from next month.​ 

New Zealand Fish & Game sees call to remove advocacy as misguided
New Zealand Fish & Game sees call to remove advocacy as misguided

Fish & Game manages trout, salmon, and game birds and helps New Zealanders to connect with nature and experience the many benefits fishing and hunting offers.  A call to completely remove Fish & Game’s advocacy function is misguided and fails to understand the role the organisation plays, says Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan. 

Recreational Fishing Nets Big Gains for Region - Hydro Canal Fishery Contributes $13.6 Million to Mackenzie Basin Economy
Recreational Fishing Nets Big Gains for Region - Hydro Canal Fishery Contributes $13.6 Million to Mackenzie Basin Economy

New research shows that recreational freshwater fishing contributes millions of dollars to the Mackenzie Basin and that local businesses and communities land the gains. Central South Island Fish & Game Council (CSIFGC) today released the results of a groundbreaking economic impact assessment conducted in partnership with the University of Otago and Meridian Energy. 

Urban BBQ Festival | Hastings
Urban BBQ Festival | Hastings

BBQ lovers are in for more meaty goodness in November when the Urban BBQ Festival returns to Tomoana Showgrounds, Hastings. Once again the Demo Stage hosts a full afternoon of demonstrations that will take your pitmaster skills to the next level. Butterfly a leg of lamb, serve some smokey cocktails and cheese, master ribs and brisket, and get that crackling crispy on a homemade porchetta.

Whittaker’s indulges fruit lovers with two new Artisan Collection flavours
Whittaker’s indulges fruit lovers with two new Artisan Collection flavours

Whittaker’s is delighted to bring back two fruit lovers’ favourites, Raspberry & New Zealand Strawberry 100g, and Gisborne Orange & Hazelnut 100g, now showcasing local ingredients, as part of its core New Zealand Artisan Collection.  

Ready, steady, fish! Freshwater season licenses now on sale
Ready, steady, fish! Freshwater season licenses now on sale

Fishing licences are on sale today as anticipation builds for the upcoming season. “Spring is on its way, and today marks a key date in the diary for keen anglers,” said Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan. “With the season starting on October 1, it’s a good idea for anglers to get in early and grab their licence so they can focus on sorting their gear and planning trips with friends.

Spawning monitoring – measuring to manage 
Spawning monitoring – measuring to manage 

Fish & Game staff throughout the country are busy conducting spawning surveys for trout and salmon to ensure there are sustainable fisheries for the future and to check up on stream and river health. Fish & Game New Zealand chief executive Corina Jordan said there were a range of ways to monitor spawning, from using fish traps to walking up a stream and counting. 

Featured Artist - Catherine Macdonald
Featured Artist - Catherine Macdonald

New Zealand artist Catherine Macdonald creates drawings & prints, makes & illustrates objects & furniture, and writes, illustrates & publishes books.

Artwork - Just as they fall (Catherine MacDonald)

Featured Artist - Kimbra Taylor
Featured Artist - Kimbra Taylor

Kimbra has a Diploma in Visual Communications from the Wellington School of Design and a teacher's certificate.

“I worked in an advertising agency as an illustrator and visualiser, The Evening Post as an illustrator and then became a freelance illustrator. I worked with Thomas Nelson publishing firm and illustrated many children's books. One of the paintings from a book I illustrated was given to the author for her birthday. I felt very honoured and delighted to be able to share this with her as a gift.” Kimbra shares

Appointments to the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board
Appointments to the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board

The Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Hon. Todd McClay, has appointed board members to the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust. The Game Bird Habitat Trust is an independent public entity established under the Wildlife Act 1953. Its functions include improving New Zealand’s game bird habitat and the habitat of other wildlife.

Cheese Experts To Judge More Than 300 Kiwi Cheeses To Find The Nz Champions

Cheese Experts To Judge More Than 300 Kiwi Cheeses To Find The Nz Champions

Tony Cutting
Champions of Cheese Award

An esteemed judging panel will taste, smell and crumble their way through more than 300 New Zealand cheeses on Sunday as they hunt for the winners of the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2020.

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For the first time in the Awards 17 year history, the panel - led by Australian Master Judge Russell Smith – will be looking for three Supreme Champions. The change ensures the Awards represent the all the country’s cheesemakers from boutique producers through to the very large cheese companies and producers in between.Master Judge Russell Smith who judges throughout the world is overseeing the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards for the 12th consecutive year and will assist a panel of 23 judges. The Awards, run by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association (NZSCA), will be judged on Saturday 22 February for yoghurt and butter and Sunday 23 February for cheese.

The NZ Champions of Cheese Awards are not just for professional judges, cheese lovers from across the country are being called on to be part of the Awards too. Foodies are asked to nominate their favourite place to buy New Zealand cheese. The 180 degrees Favourite NZ Specialty Cheese Shopping Experience recognises the supermarket, specialty food store, farmers’ market or cheese shop which provides amazing service for those buying New Zealand cheese. Stores which receive the most votes will be assessed by a specialist panel of judges and one will be named 180 degrees Favourite NZ Specialty Cheese Shopping Experience at the Awards ceremony in May.

A new addition for 2020 Awards is the Ignite Colleges Chefs’ Choice in which cheesemakers submit a cheese of their choice which showcase their skill to be assessed exclusively by a specially convened panel of award-winning chefs. Hallertau Head Chef, Drew Lautenbach; Cordis Executive Chef, Volker Marecek and Ignite Colleges and NZ Chefs Auckland Branch President Jasbir Kaur, will be assessing the cheese with a view to choosing a winner whose cheese will wow restaurant and café diners

NZSCA chair Neil Willman said a significant change for 2020 is judging of the Champion Cheesemaker. “Cheesemakers now enter three styles of cheeses which will be assessed as one entry. The winner will be the cheesemaker who receives the highest aggregate score across their three cheeses,”. Additionally in 2020 a Greek/Cypriot Cheese Category has replaced what was formerly known as the Feta Category and the Cheddar Category has been split into two sub categories, Bulk and Retail Cheddar.

Mr Willman made special mention of the industry partners who make the Awards possible with their support.

Following judging at Ignite Colleges, Manukau medal winners will be announced in March. The announcement of Trophy Winners will be at a four-course gala dinner – featuring a selection of winning cheeses - at SkyCity Hamilton on Wednesday 6 May 2020. NZSCA is expecting 300 guests from throughout the country at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards 2020.

The NZ Champions of Cheese 2020 Supreme Champion awards are:

  • Countdown Champion of Champions (Commercial)

  • New World Champion of Champions (Mid-sized)

  • Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique)

The NZ Champions of Cheese 2020 Trophies are:

  • Fonterra Co-operative Group Champion Original Cheese

  • New Zealand Food Safety Champion New Cheese

  • ECOLAB Champion Blue Cheese

  • Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker

  • Dupont Danisco Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese

  • Kiwi Labels Champion Greek/Cypriot Cheese

  • CHR Hansen Champion Soft White Rind Cheese

  • AsureQuality Champion Dutch Style Cheese

  • NZSCA Champion Retail Cheddar Cheese

  • NZSCA Champion Bulk Cheddar Cheese

  • Cheeselinks Champion Fresh Italian Style Cheese

  • Big Chill Distribution Champion Flavoured Cheese

  • Sabato Champion Farmhouse Cheese

  • Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese

  • Delta Wines Champion European Style Cheese

  • Dish magazine Champion Sheep Cheese

  • Renco New Zealand Champion Export Cheese

  • Good George Brewing Champion Goat Cheese

  • Curds & Whey Champion Homecrafted Cheese and Cheesemaker

The NZ Champions of Cheese 2020 Special Awards are:

  • New World Cheese Lovers' Choice

  • Ignite Colleges Chefs’ Choice

  • 180 degrees Favourite NZ Specialty Cheese Shopping Experience

  • Innovative Packaging Champion Butter

  • NZSCA Champion Yoghurt

Ends

OTAGO WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION OPEN BUT CHANGE IS COMING

OTAGO WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION OPEN BUT CHANGE IS COMING
UC speech app could help children speak freely

UC speech app could help children speak freely

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