Not only is Whitianga one of New Zealand's favourite summer destinations but it is now officially home to the country's favourite milkshake.

The Espy Cafe and their entry ‘Aw Fudge I Crushed My Nuts' beat 319 other dairies, ice cream parlours and corner stores in Anchor's inaugural New Zealand's Best Milkshake competition.

The Espy Cafe owner Duncan Wood and Milkshake Judge Deanna Yang with the winning milkshake Aw Fudge I Crushed My Nuts. Photo: Supplied

Four regional winners were found by popular vote and The Espy Cafe's winning shakewas then chosen by Milkshake connoisseur and national judge Deanna Yang of Moustache Milk Bar fame.

Deanna says the milkshake scored strongly across the judging criteria of uniqueness, taste, texture and aesthetic appeal.

She adds: 'Espy Cafe came up with a delicious, unique and beautiful looking shake.”

'Boasting fresh Anchor milk, home-made fudge, salted caramel ice cream, streaks of chocolate sauce and topped with cream and crushed nuts, it has everything you want in a shake.”

Behind ‘Aw Fudge I Crushed My Nuts' was husband and wife team, Duncan and Bev Wood, along with their ice cream parlour manager Ayesha McQueen.

Duncan says the team are 'over the moon” with the win and it was Bev's idea to add her home-made fudge which really brought the recipe together.

'The sweet caramel and nutty flavour was an instant hit,” says Duncan. 'We knew we were onto a good thing when the most common immediate reaction from both locals and visitors was ‘OMG!'”

Equally ecstatic are local Anchor milk franchisee owners Noel and Sheryl Humphris.

Sheryl says The Espy Cafe has only been open for about five months and getting a national title under their belt in that time is a fitting reward for Duncan and Bev's hard work and enthusiasm.

The competition was run by Anchor from December of last year through till February 28 this year.

The other three regional winners included Snacks & Scoops of Avondale, Scott Drive 4 Square of Flaxmere and Halswell Dairy in Christchurch.