New World Emerge FAQs
1. Who can enter?
We are looking for innovation across the entire grocery category across New Zealand’s small/emerging supplier community. It is essential that your business and manufacturing is New Zealand based.
You do not have to be registered as a vendor with Foodstuffs for either North or South Island, but if you are you should only be selling to a limited number of stores within a couple of regional areas rather than being fully ranged across stores. All entrants should have capacity and resource to scale up into more stores and be ready to seize the opportunity that winning the competition will present.
2. If I have different flavours within the same product do I have to submit an entry for each flavour?
No, if you have 1 product with multiple flavours you can mention this in your entry. If you have 2 different products, then you will need to submit separate entries.
3. Can I still enter if I’m based outside of Auckland or Christchurch?
You can enter as long as your business is currently operating in New Zealand. However, most of the support provided in the prizes package is based in Auckland or Christchurch, so if you are not based in one of these cities you should have the means to travel there when required, to take full advantage of the support available.
4. Can I still enter if my products are already in the New World supermarket network?
Only if you are supplying to a small number of stores. You might be selling your products in a few local New World supermarkets but if you win, you will be ranged in a significant number of stores across the country following consultation with our category teams to ensure that we are targeting as many New World stores as is suited to your business across New Zealand.
Plus there are other valuable prizes in the prize package including support in brand and marketing, business mentorship, product development & manufacturing, and more!
5. My product doesn’t look “pretty” right now, but my customers love it. How will you judge unwrapped/rustic looking products?
We are looking for products with great potential to disrupt their category. Tell us why your customers love this product, and how you think it will fit into a supermarket shelf. The business incubation process will help you turn your ugly duckling into a swan.
6. My business has the potential to be more sustainable, but I don’t know where to start, will this impact my entry?
We are always looking at better ways that products can be sourced/packaged and understand that this is an ever-evolving space as newer technology comes through. As part of the winner’s prize pack we provide a consultation on ways to improve the sustainability aspects of the product/business.
7. How does this competition work?
New World Emerge 2026 is divided into 4 main phases:
Phase 1: The call to action starts in March 2026. Once you have downloaded the downloadable application and you are ready to fill out the online form, you can enter the competition through the Typeform link on the New World Emerge website. Please note that we only accept entries submitted through the application portal that we send you, submissions through emails or any other means will not be accepted. All entries must be submitted before 11.59 PM on 3rd May 2026.
Phase 2: Entries close, we will select a pool of semi-finalists who will be announced in May 2026. All semi-finalists will prepare a longer application.
Out of the semi-finalists, we will select up to 6 finalists who will be invited to pitch to a panel of judges at the final event. The finalists will be announced in June 2026.
Phase 3: The winners will be selected, announced, and celebrated at the Final event on 15th July 2026*
Phase 4: After the prize-giving, winners begin their acceleration journey and will be surrounded by expert supports from Foodstuffs, New World and our supporting partners at New Zealand Food Innovation Network, Rise Growth Lab, Precision Media, dunnhumby, HOOP and Stickybeak.
8. What are the key dates* of this competition?
• March 2026: Entries open.
• 3rd May 2026: Entries close.
• May 2026: Semi-finalists to be announced. All semi-finalists to prepare a longer application
• June 2026: Finalists announced.
• Final Event 15th July 2026: pitch event and winners announced.
• Following the event: Winners start working with New World, Foodstuffs and partners.
* these dates are subject to change if required
9. How many winners and what are the prizes?
One winner and one runner up will be selected nationally. Each will receive a comprehensive prize package as follows:
• Foodstuffs will partner with the winner to develop a strategy based on current position/scalability and ability to supply to New World Stores
• Foodstuffs PR Time & Resource and media support
• A Precision Media campaign package covering POS and ecomm
• Food Innovation Network Support
• 6 months of support from Rise Growth Lab
• dunnhumby Emerging Supplier Snapshot
• A bespoke consultation on sustainable packaging with a Foodstuffs Sustainable Packaging Manager
• A consumer insights package from Stickybeak
• HOOP Brand Activation to provide a launch Merchandising package
10. How will the Final Event work?
Up to 6 Finalists will be shortlisted and provided with the opportunity to pitch their product to a judging panel in front of a live audience of industry experts at Foodstuffs North Island HQ. If you are selected as one of the finalists you will be invited to deliver a 5-minute presentation of your product followed by a short Q&A session from the judging panel. The judges will want to see, taste, and touch your product, and hear why your business, and you, should be chosen for this amazing opportunity. There is also an interactive piece with the audience for them to cast a vote on their favorite product. You will be expected to provide some tasting samples/packaged samples for them to try/touch and feel.
11. If I am selected to present at Final – do I need to cover my own travel and accommodation expenses.
We will provide 2-night stay at a hotel in the Auckland Airport area for up to 2 people per finalist entry. It will be up to you to cover travel costs to get to and from Auckland.