New Zealand’s best bacon is a shoulder bacon produced by a butcher on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Thames Valley Bacon was honoured at the 9th annual 100% New Zealand Pork, Bacon & Ham Awards held in Christchurch, winning the 2016 best bacon title.
The competitions celebrate New Zealand’s finest home-grown pork products and assist consumers to identify and appreciate sustainable pork, bacon and ham which is PigCareTM Accredited*.
The competitions support local pig farmers, who raise pork solely for New Zealanders. Three supreme winners took top honours across each competition.
The event celebrates the craft involved with turning 100% New Zealand grown pork into mouth-watering bacon, ham and pork products. Each entry was scrutinised by an independent panel of 33 judges comprising of leading chefs, food connoisseurs and master butchers.
The best 100% New Zealand bacon
Overall winner
For Bushman’s shoulder bacon
Thames Valley Bacon
9224 Paeroa Kopu Rd, Matatoki, Coromandel
Middle Bacon
Gold Medal
For Manuka double smoked
4 Crofton Rd, Ngaio, Wellington
Silver Medal
For honey cured, Manuka smoked
The Meat Factory
29 Lyon St, Frankton, Hamilton, Waikato
Bronze Medal
For honey cured, Manuka smoked
20 Subway Rd, Pukekohe, Auckland
(Stores also at 420 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland, and Great South Rd, Pokeno)
Shoulder Bacon
Gold Medal
For Manuka honey
4 Crofton Rd, Ngaio, Wellington
Gold Medal
For Bushman’s shoulder bacon
Thames Valley Bacon
9224 Paeroa Kopu Rd, Matatoki, Coromandel
Streaky Bacon
Silver Medal
For streaky black bacon
4A Duncan Ave, Karitane, Dunedin
Silver Medal
For honey cured, Manuka smoked
20 Subway Rd, Pukekohe, Auckland
(Stores also at 420 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland, and Great South Rd, Pokeno)
Silver Medal
For honey cured, Manuka smoked
26 Wanganui Flat Road, Hari Hari, West Coast
Silver Medal
For Manuka smoked
Unit G, 10 Margan Ave, New Lynn, Auckland
Silver Medal
For Peninsula
170A Gordon Rd, Fairfield, Dunedin, Otago
Silver Medal
For Central Otago
170A Gordon Rd, Fairfield, Dunedin, Otago
Middle Eye Bacon
Silver Medal
For dry cured, Manuka smoked
20 Colombo St, Somerfield, Christchurch
Bronze Medal
For dry cured maple
17 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale, Auckland
Dry Cured Middle Bacon
Silver Medal
For dry-cured
17 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Silverdale, Auckland
Silver Medal
For dry-cured
23 Hall St, Cheviot, Canterbury
Silver Medal
For dry-cured
531 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Bronze Medal
For dry cured with cloves
26 Wanganui Flat Road, Hari Hari, West Coast
Bronze Medal
For dry-cured
Unit 6-7 Miramar Metro 9-11 Tauhinu Rd, Miramar, Wellington
Past winners
2016
For Bushman’s shoulder bacon
Thames Valley Bacon
9224 Paeroa Kopu Rd, Matatoki, Coromandel
2015
For middle-eye bacon
20 Colombo St, Somerfield, Christchurch
2014
For Manuka smoked streaky bacon
Independent Meat Processors (no longer trading)
29 Edmonton Rd, Hornby South, Christchurch
* PigCare AccreditedTM
Pig CareTM is a New Zealand accreditation program and is a world-leading standard of Care for Farmed Pigs. It was developed by Massey University with the support of veterinarians, pig farmers and professional organisations and has been independently reviewed by international experts.
Pig CareTM is focused on the care, knowledge and expertise, experience and commitment of farmers to provide the best welfare for farmed pigs. It is the care given by our farmer that makes NZ Pork different from imported products.
While 58% of pork products sold in New Zealand are imported, Pig CareTM accreditation on products is an indication that the pig has been born and raised in New Zealand and farmed with care, with the needs of the pig at the centre of the farming practice.
Source: 100% New Zealand Pork
