A cheese kransky sausage from manufacturer Hellers has beaten more than 400 other sausages to be named best in New Zealand.
The smoked, spicy Dutch sausage is the supreme award winner in the Great New Zealand Sausage Competition, after two days of judging by 45 judges.
This year, 440 sausages were entered by 76 companies.
Retail Meat New Zealand, which runs the competition, says the competition will be back next year, and there are plans to involve the public more.
Nine other sausage makers picked up gold medals in a range of categories.