McDonald’s, Auckland

Georgie Pie

In New Zealand, McDonald’s briefly revived the former fast food chain Georgie Pie, more than a decade after its disappearance in the late 1990s. The expectation accompanying the release was that its return would offer something distinctive enough to justify the nostalgia surrounding the brand.

The pie arrived in a square format rather than the more familiar circular form, immediately setting it apart visually. Structurally, it was competent, with a firm pastry shell enclosing a standard minced meat filling that remained contained throughout consumption.

On tasting, however, the flavour profile aligned closely with the everyday meat pies commonly available throughout Australia and New Zealand. The filling delivered a straightforward savoury character but lacked a defining quality that would distinguish it from numerous comparable products. While the unusual shape provided novelty, it did little to alter either the eating experience or flavour profile.

Overall, a savoury meat pie with a straightforward savoury flavour progression and a structurally sound pastry enclosure, resulting in a competent but largely unremarkable product whose novelty rested primarily in its square format.

---

2026

Frozen L&P

This frozen adaptation of the iconic New Zealand soft drink delivered precisely what was expected. The familiar lemony profile, supported by the drink’s characteristic ginger beer-like tang, translated effectively into a frozen slush format.

The icy texture amplified the drink’s refreshing qualities, while the citrus-forward flavour remained clearly recognisable throughout. There were no surprises in execution, but that predictability worked in its favour, successfully capturing the essence of L&P in a colder and more refreshing form.

Overall, a frozen slush beverage with a bright citrus-tang flavour progression and a smooth frozen structure, resulting in a refreshing and faithful adaptation of a well-known New Zealand drink.