Barrys Bay Maasdam cheese

Barrys Bay Cheese is an iconic artisanal dairy producer originating from the Akaroa region on New Zealand's South Island. Founded in 1895, the brand has built a reputation for traditional cheese-making methods using fresh, local Canterbury milk. Their Maasdam variety is a Swiss-style cheese celebrated for its signature sweet and nutty flavour profile, often winning awards such as the NZ Champions of Cheese Gold medal.

The production is strictly localized, with the factory situated in Duvauchelle, Barrys Bay, where the cheeses are handcrafted using heritage recipes. The brand was acquired in 2024 by the Canterbury-based dairy enterprise, Canlac Corporation, ensuring that the brand remains under regional New Zealand ownership while benefiting from expanded local distribution networks.