History of Ice Cream in New Zealand | NZICA - The New Zealand Ice Cream Association (Inc.)

The History of Ice Cream in New Zealand

Timeline

1840 - 1890

- The First Ice Cream?
- The Ice Age
- The Soda Fountain

- Photo credit: National Library of NZ.

1891 - 1910

- The Ice Cream Hawker
- The Problem With Sunday
- Early Manufacturing
- Astrella's
- The Ice Cream Parlour

- Photo credit: Darian Zam.

1911 - 1920

- The Beginnings of the Ice Cream Industry
- Robinsons
- The Marble Bar
- Home-made Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Quality and Standards

- Photo credit: State Library of Queensland.

1921 - 1930

- Timeline: the 20s
- Ice Cream Novelties
- The Eskimo Pie
- The Ice Cream Industry Booms
- Ice Cream Manufacturers Join Forces
- A Profusion of Shapes and Flavours

- Photo credit: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision.

1931 - 1940

- The Frigidaire Effect
- Timeline: the 30s
- Ice Cream, The Health Food
- The Modern Milk Bar
- Tip Top Ice Cream is born

- Photo credit: Tip Top archives.

1941 - 1950

- Ice Cream Goes to War
- Regulating & Controlling the Industry

- Photo credit: US National Archives.

1951 - 1960

- Technology & Scale
- Food or Dairy Product?
- Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
- "Take-home" vs. "Bulk"
- New Food Regulations

- Photo credit: Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection.

1961 - 1970

- Tip Top Corner
- Treats on Sticks

- Photo credit: Tip Top archives.

1971 - 1980

- The Dairy Industry Awakes
- Wall's
- The Rebirth of New American
- Timeline: the '70s

- Photo credit: Steve Williams.

1981 - 1990

- Timeline: the '80s

- Photo credit: KiwiGame.

1991 - 2000

- Taking on the World
- New Zealand Natural
- The Ice Cream Awards

- Photo credit: New Zealand Natural.

2001 - 2010

- The Dairy Industry Returns
- The Ice Cream Code Of Practice
- Lick or Spoon?
- Gelato & Sorbet

- Photo credit: Chris Newey.

2011 - 2020

- Ice Cream Awards Expanded
- Probiotic Ice Cream
- Tip Top Turns 75
- Ice Cream with a Social Conscience
- Timeline: the 2010s

- Photo credit: Chris Newey.

2021 - 2030

- Ice Cream Celebrated

- Photo credit: Little 'Lato.

Brands & Legends

Old Brands

More than 100 ice cream brands have disappeared over the years.

Apex

A Christchurch brand that was active from the 30s to the 60s.

Eldora

Favourite of those who grew up in Devonport in the 40s and 50s.

Eskimo Pie

The original chocolate-coated ice cream bar, a favourite since 1924.

Frosty Jack

Wellington's dominant brand in the 30s, 40s, and 50s

Ice Cream Charlie

A Christchurch institution since 1903, still going strong.

McDonald's

The Waikato's first ice cream manufacturer, established 1922.

Perfection

Christchurch's biggest brand from the 30s through to the early 60s.

Phantazzi, Newjoy & Manda

Phantazzi, Newjoy, Manda & Deep South ice cream brands - all part of the Simon family legacy.

Queen Anne

The iconic national brand built by a legendary baker.

Rush Munro

A Hawke's Bay legend that started out in Auckland.

Snowflake

For over 80 years it was the favourite frozen treat for West Coasters.

Sunshine

One of Nelson's favourites from the 40s and early 50s.

Supreme

Timaru's family-owned pioneer in frozen food technology.

Tip Top

Our biggest, and now our oldest ice cream business - an iconic brand that grew out of a small milk bar in Manners Street, Wellington.

The first Trumpet TV ad

The story behind the very first Tip Top Trumpet advertisement made for television.

Trans-Tasman Brands

The incredibly complex story of how ownership of some famous trans-Tasman ice cream brands evolved.

Legends of the Industry

Some of the people who have built New Zealand's ice cream industry, the names behind the iconic brands.

The Association

More than ninety years ago ice cream manufacturers from up and down the country decided to work together.

Follow the Timeline:

1840 - 1890

About this History:

Special thanks to Jenny and Karen at the NZICA executive office, Shona McCahon, Darian Zam, Steve Williams, Rod Dennis and the many individuals and organisations who have generously provided information and material, and permission to reproduce photos, signage, packaging and graphics.

Sources for individual items are identified wherever possible. Please let us know if any are incorrectly credited or captioned.

Wherever possible, permission has been obtained for the reproduction of photographs and images in this publication, but in all cases, ownership remains with the individuals and organisations credited in the associated captions. Images are not the property of the NZICA. For permission to reproduce any image, please contact the credited owner.

All written content however is copyright © of The New Zealand Ice Cream Manufacturers Association (Inc.,), PO Box 9364, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND.

Website: www.nzicecreamandgelato.co.nz
E-mail: info@nzicecream.org.nz
Telephone +64 4 385 1410.