Crafted by Place: The Taste of Hauraki Coromandel
For generations, Hauraki Coromandel has been known for its spectacular coastline, native forests and relaxed coastal lifestyle. But quietly, another reputation has been taking shape.
Today, the region is becoming one of New Zealand's most exciting artisan food and beverage destinations, with local producers collecting international and national awards across chocolate, gin, sea salt, seafood and gourmet pantry products.
What makes these accolades remarkable isn't simply the number of medals won, it's the diversity of products earning recognition. From handcrafted chocolate inspired by the Pacific to world-class gin, hand-harvested sea salt and innovative smoked seafood, Hauraki Coromandel producers are proving that a small coastal region can compete with the very best.
World-class chocolate from a beach town
In the surf town of Whangamatā, Coromandel Chocolate is redefining what premium chocolate can be.
Founder Thomas Capdevielle has earned international recognition by looking beyond traditional European flavour profiles, instead drawing inspiration from the Pacific and Asia. Using ethically sourced cacao from Vanuatu, his creations combine ingredients such as roasted Japanese hojicha tea, oolong tea, matcha and vibrant purple ube to create distinctive bean-to-bar chocolate unlike anything else in New Zealand.
That innovation was recognised at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards in London, where Coromandel Chocolate collected four medals in 2025, including a Silver Medal for its Milk Chocolate with Hojicha and Bronze Medals for its Milk Chocolate Oolong Tea, White Chocolate & Matcha and White Chocolate & Ube bars. These awards build on previous international success and reinforce the region's growing reputation for exceptional craftsmanship.
Distilling the spirit of Hauraki Coromandel
The region's native bush, wild botanicals and pristine environment are also finding their way into internationally celebrated spirits.
Awildian Gin, distilled in Thames, continues to build an impressive global reputation. At the 2026 World Gin Awards, the distillery collected multiple Gold medals, with Coromandel Dry Gin, Coromandel Dry Gin Blue Edition, Coromandel Mānuka Gin and Damson Gin all recognised among the world's best. The distillery has built an enviable record of success at international competitions, cementing Hauraki Coromandel's place on the global gin map.
Nearby, Kaimai Distilling also claimed international honours when its Eliza's Claim Dry Gin received Country Winner Gold at the 2026 World Gin Awards, adding another world-class spirit to the region's growing collection.
Salt that captures the coast
Sometimes the simplest ingredients tell the greatest story.
At Opito Bay, sea water, sunshine, wind and patience are transformed into artisan sea salt that is now winning recognition both in New Zealand and overseas.
In 2026, Opito Bay Salt earned multiple Gold Medals at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards, while its products were also recognised internationally at the World Food Innovation Awards in London. Previous NZ Artisan Food Awards and Outstanding Food Producer Awards further reinforce its reputation as one of New Zealand's leading artisan pantry brands.
Celebrating the flavours of the sea
Hauraki Coromandel's relationship with the ocean extends well beyond fresh seafood.
Blackbeard Smokehouse has transformed locally inspired ingredients into award-winning products that showcase creativity as much as craftsmanship. At the 2026 Outstanding Food Producer Awards, the Thames producer received two Gold Medals, one for its Harissa Smoked Mussels in the Seafood category and another for its Wakame & Lemon Hot Sauce in the Earth category. Together, the awards demonstrate how the region's marine environment continues to inspire innovative food producers.
More than award winners
While these internationally recognised producers are helping put Hauraki Coromandel on the culinary map, they're only part of the story.
Across the region, passionate growers, makers and producers contribute to a thriving food culture that reflects the landscape around them.
Fresh Coromandel mussels and oysters are harvested from some of New Zealand's cleanest coastal waters. Boutique breweries are crafting small-batch beers inspired by the region's laid-back lifestyle, while local vineyards are producing wines that pair perfectly with long lunches overlooking the coast.
Macadamia growers continue to champion one of the region's signature crops, while artisan coffee roasters fuel local cafés throughout the region. Small-batch producers are creating everything from infused olive oils and handcrafted sauces to preserves, seasonings and gourmet condiments, many using ingredients sourced from the surrounding land and sea.
Together, they create a food culture that's authentic, creative and unmistakably local.
A destination worth tasting
The rise of Hauraki Coromandel as a food destination isn’t happening by accident.
It's the result of passionate people choosing quality over quantity, celebrating local ingredients and crafting products that reflect the place they call home.
Visitors can meet the makers behind award-winning chocolate, sample internationally acclaimed gin at a cellar door, taste artisan sea salt harvested from Hauraki Coromandel’s east coast, discover gourmet smoked seafood and explore farm gates, cafés, breweries and markets that showcase the region's abundance.
The awards may have introduced Hauraki Coromandel to judges around the world, but the real reward is discovering the flavours for yourself.
Because here, every bite tells the story of a place where creativity, craftsmanship and nature come together, one delicious experience at a time.
*** Explore more of Hauraki Coromandel's culinary offerings or download a copy of the Coromandel Food Trail ***
