16th Annual Cheesecake festival

The 16th Annual Smith & McKenzie Cheesecake Festival is here!

Running from 5th–31st August

We’re proud to announce the return of our sweetest tradition — the 16th Annual Smith & McKenzie Cheesecake Festival!

After receiving an incredible number of applications, the Top 8 cheesecakes have now been selected, representing a fantastic mix of schools, charities, and community organisations. It wasn’t an easy decision, but our team is excited to reveal this year’s finalists, each bringing their unique flavour and creativity to the table.

Throughout August, these delicious cheesecake creations will be featured on our menu — and here's where you come in.

🧁 Every slice sold = $1 donated back to the group that created it.
🏆 The cheesecake with the most votes and sales will take home $500, the coveted Cheesecake Festival Trophy, and a spot on our dessert menu for the next 12 months.

So come on in, taste your way through the lineup, cast your vote, and support a great cause. The more slices sold, the more money raised — it's a win-win for everyone.

Let’s make this year’s Cheesecake Festival the biggest and most delicious one yet!

🧁 Top 8 Cheesecake Festival Finalists – 2025

TE RAUHII CHARITABLE TRUST - CHEESECAKE NAME: Crunchy Choir FLAVOUR: Toffee Crunch & Pecan

FUNDRAISING FOR: Music resources for free music education programs for Hamilton's Tamariki

HUKANUI PRIMARY SCHOOL - CHEESECAKE NAME: Plumtastic FLAVOUR: Black Doris Plum with White Chocolate FUNDRAISING FOR: School camp funds

WAIKATO WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER - CHEESECAKE NAME: Slice, Slice Baby FLAVOUR: Lime & Gingerbread FUNDRAISING FOR: Ongoing rescue support

TAMAHERE MODEL COUNTRY SCHOOL - CHEESECAKE NAME: New York Brulee FLAVOUR: New York Cheesecake & Crème Brûlée FUNDRAISING FOR: New playground

WOODSTOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL - CHEESECAKE NAME: Caramel Cookie Dream FLAVOUR: White Chocolate, Salted Caramel & Cookie Dough FUNDRAISING FOR: Upgrading the school library to create a more functional learning and lunchtime space

OUR TRIBE CHILDCARE CENTRE - CHEESECAKE NAME: Brulee Bliss FLAVOUR: Salted Caramel & Crème Brûlée FUNDRAISING FOR: Essential items for children (e.g. nappies)

WAIKATO WOMEN'S REFUGE - CHEESECAKE NAME: Te Ara Ora (The Path to Wellbeing) FLAVOUR:
Chocolate Orange Cheesecake with Toffee Crunch Topping FUNDRAISING FOR: Hauora / Wellbeing day for whānau accessing their services

HAMILTON VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE - CHEESECAKE NAME: Calories Don’t Count After a 2am Callout
FLAVOUR: Boysenberry KitKat FUNDRAISING FOR: Fundraising For: Emergency lighting and life-saving equipment for night-time callouts