Head up north for the aptly named Champion's gold-winning mince pie: perfect pastry + a perfect filling = the perfect lunch break.
3: Better Quality Pies, 2 Tarewa Rd, Rotorua, ph (07) 349 1556
A chicken and vegetable pie is a thing of joy: this one won gold, so worth the detour. Or cross to the Western Bay of Plenty to Patrick's Pies, 19 Bethlehem Rd, Tauranga, ph (07) 579 2328 whose vegetarian stir-fry in a spinach cream sauce won gold. Long time award-winner Patrick Lam also scooped silver for his chicken pie, and bronze for his seafood and mince and cheese pies.
4: Mairangi Bay Bakery, 326D Beach Rd, ph (09) 479 1610
Head to the North Shore where these guys won gold for their brandied apple, apricot and grape pie and a gold for their seafood combo of salmon, scallops and crab with leek.
They also won silver for their steak pie.
While you're there, head to Euro Patisserie, 1028 Beach Rd, Torbay, ph (09) 473 7535 for their gold-medal chicken, cranberry and camembert pie. Drive further north to Dairy Flat Bakery, 1443 Dairy Flat Highway, ph (09) 426 6061 for the bronze-winning bacon and egg pie.
Or wherever you are, look out for Dad's Pies: this Silverdale-based wholesaler won the best commercial pie category.
