Two Mount Maunganui butchers and a Waihi supermarket have been named finalists in a national hunt to find New Zealand's next top sausage.
Gold, silver and bronze medals have been awarded to sausages entered in the Devro New Zealand Sausage Competition, earning them a place in the competition.
Farmer Jones in Owens Place was awarded gold in the pre-cooked or barbecue category for their sausage Big Red.
The store was also awarded silver for its entry in the continental ready-to-eat category with its Cheese Kransky.
Owner Tony Smith said the key to creating a winning sausage was using good quality meat - and plenty of it.