The finalists of the nationwide New World Emerge competition have been announced, highlighting some of the most exciting up-and-coming food and grocery innovators in Aotearoa.
Designed to uncover the next generation of great Kiwi grocery suppliers, this year’s competition has attracted an impressive calibre of entries, with entrepreneurs from across the country submitting their most innovative products. After a rigorous semi-final process that included business coaching, financial analysis, and a 60-second pitch video submission, judges from across Foodstuffs North Island and South Island have selected 10 standout finalists:
Start-up Suppliers
Small Suppliers
Chris Quin, Managing Director of Foodstuffs New Zealand said: ““We have a proud history of supporting small and local suppliers and this year’s entries have been incredibly strong. We’ve seen a real step up in terms of quality and business readiness. These are entrepreneurs who are ready to grow, and we’re keen to help them take that next step.”
The competition culminates in a live pitch event on Thursday, 14 August at Foodstuffs Support Centre in Auckland. Finalists will present their products to a panel of judges, including supermarket owner operators, who will sample the products, ask questions, and select the winners in each category.
The winners will receive a comprehensive support package including mentorship from industry experts and exposure across Foodstuffs’ extensive retail network.
New World Emerge is proudly supported by New World and delivered in partnership with an expert group of industry mentors, including Precision Media, NZ Food Innovation Network, Rise Growth Lab, HOOP, Stickybeak, and Calico. It’s part of Foodstuffs’ broader commitment to backing local suppliers and helping them succeed, ensuring communities thrive as part of its commitment to be Here for NZ.
New World Emerge 2025 is off to a fantastic start, with an exceptional standard of entries showcasing the diversity and quality of emerging suppliers ready to take the next step in their retail journey.
After a rigorous judging process, we’re excited to announce the semi-finalists for the 2025 New World Emerge competition:
Start-up Suppliers |
Small Suppliers |
|---|---|
| Twenty Eight Drinks - Twenty Eight Drinks Scientifically Designed For Women | Little Ardroy Beef Company - Frozen Beef Bites (Original & Korean BBQ) |
| ButterLuxe Co - Oaty Butter | Pierogi Joint - Pierogi |
| The Real Fruit Sorbet Company - Kiwi Sorbet Green, Gold & Red | Teeny Teeth NZ - Trio-Toothbrush (Three sided brushing!) |
| NODE - Node rapid hydration formula | Vague Hippo - Frozen Espresso shots |
| Johns Popcorn - John’s Popcorn | Mag Bag - magnetic close storage bag |
| ISpy Nits - Ispy Nit Kit | Parakore Honey - HiveEnergy Gels |
| Brewd Hawt Chicken - Frozen Jalapeno Cheese rolls | Planta - Lime and Kawakawa, Passionfruit and Nectarine, Blood Orange and Hibiscus |
| Dirty Donuts - Apple Fritter | May Coffee Crew Limited - Vietnamese Ready to Drink (RTD) Iced Coffees |
| Ginger’s Pantry - Kimchi pancake Mix (vegan and gluten free) | Ecobase SC - Ecobalm |
Each of these suppliers will now spend the coming weeks refining their pitch as they aim to progress to the final event, where two category winners will be crowned.
New World Emerge 2025 entries are closed
Foodstuffs is once again on a mission to help bring emerging suppliers into the forefront through New World Emerge, a national competition that will see the category winners get priceless support from Industry leaders and Foodstuffs mentors; plus, an unrivalled opportunity to get their product onto supermarket shelves in New World stores across the motu.
Supported by a plethora of industry partners with high credentials including, Precision Media, the New Zealand Food Innovation Network, FMCG business mentoring experts Rise Growth Lab, merchandising experts HOOP, consumer insight specialists Stickybeak and FMCG brand and design agency Calico; the nationwide search has started with the aim of recognising, supporting and encouraging innovation within the grocery sector.
New World Emerge is led by Foodstuffs and supported by New World. This unique nationwide platform plays a key role in both co-operatives commitment to be Here for NZ through support for their supplier communities and in turn, helping local communities to thrive.
Entry Criteria
We are looking for:
• Sustainable aspects to your product/business
• Potential to disrupt within their category
• It can be any grocery category (excl alcohol, cigarettes & vaping products)
• New Zealand made & based
• Either not selling to any supermarkets or you might be registered vendor for either North or South Island
• Early stages of trading or already selling to a limited number of stores within a couple of regional areas
• Capacity and resource to scale up to get into New World Stores or to be able to expand on the current number of New World stores
Key Dates
• 8th April 2025: Entries open.
• 1st June 2025: Entries close.
• Early June 2025: Semi-finalists to be announced. All semi-finalists to prepare a longer application.
• July 2025: Finalists announced.
• Final Event 14th August 2025: pitch night and winners announced
• Following the event: Winners start working with Foodstuffs and partners
