And it’s no secret that Kiwis love their ice cream. With a per capita consumption of ice cream and related products estimated to be 22-23 litres per annum, New Zealanders are the biggest consumers of ice cream in the world.
In the Waikato region, which is the dairy farming heartland of the country and where berries and many other kinds of fruit are cultivated, you’re never far from a shop or eatery serving up ice cream.
Check out these top spots in the Waikato to grab a scoop of locally made and totally lick-worthy ice cream, sorbet or gelato, as voted by our Facebook community.
Duck Island Ice Cream, Hamilton
300a Grey Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton
Open 7 days a week
5/298 Victoria Street, Hamilton
Open Thursday - Sunday
Hoops & Scoops NZ, Te Awamutu
54 Sloane Street, Te Awamutu
Open Tuesday - Sunday
www.hoopsandscoops.co.nz
The Scoop Gelato, Waharoa
50 Seddon Street, Waharoa
Open Wednesday - Sunday
www.thescoop.nz
Ruakura Berry Shop, Hamilton
11 Davison Road, Newstead
Open 7 days a week
www.ruakuraberry.co.nz
Kowhai Creamery, Matamata
11 Haig Road, Matamata
Open Friday - Saturday
www.kowhaicreamery.co.nz
Original Pokeno Ice Cream, Pokeno
57 Great South Road, Pokeno
Open 7 days a week
www.facebook.com/originalpokenoicecreams
Sunny Nelson Real Fruit Ice Cream, Hamilton
7 Greenwood Street, Frankton, Hamilton
Open 7 days a week
www.fb/sunnynelsonrealfruiticecream
The Strawberry Farm Real Fruit Ice Cream (Punnet), Tamahere
337 Newell Road, Tamahere
Open 7 days a week
www.thecountryprovidore.co.nz
GelatAmore, Cambridge
1/44 Victoria Street, Cambridge
Open 7 days a week
Karapiro Berry Box, Leamington,
459 Maungatautari Road, Leamington, Cambridge
Open Wednesday - Monday
www.facebook.com/KarapiroBerryBox
Roll Up Real Fruit Ice Cream, Raglan
11 Bow Street, Raglan
Open 7 days a week
www.facebook.com/rollup.raglan
Fior di latte
3 Borman Road, Rototuna North, Hamilton
Open Wednesday - Monday
fiordilattenz.com