The company, owned by Fonterra and established in the country in 1886, have entered into a sponsorship agreement with the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

“The alignment between Anchor and the New Zealand Olympic Team is of great benefit to all of our athletes,” NZOC chief executive Kereyn Smith said.

“The support we receive from our commercial partners is invaluable and to have Fonterra and the Anchor brand on board as we prepare for Rio is something we are extremely proud of.”

A special breakfast at Fonterra’s building on Fenshawe Street in Auckland was held to mark the announcement of the sponsorship deal, attended by Olympic gold medal-winning sailor Polly Powrie, heptathlete Sarah Cowley and gymnast Dylan Schmidt, who competes in the trampoline discipline.

The decision to stage the breakfast came after research conducted by the group revealed 11 per cent of New Zealanders said breakfast was not important.

It also showed 20 per cent only eat breakfast sometimes, and that those under 35 were less likely to always eat breakfast.

“Olympic athletes need to hard-wire an excellent breakfast into their training regime to make sure they get the right start to the day that will lead to great performance,” Fonterra Brands New Zealand managing director Leon Clement said.

“Unfortunately this same awareness isn’t hard-wired in the minds of all Kiwis.

“Fonterra Brands is up for the challenge of promoting the importance of breakfast and in particular that dairy is a perfect way to get the nutrition we all need.”

Anchor follow the likes of real estate company Barfoot & Thompson, New Zealand's largest privately owned, non-franchised company of its type, in joining forces with the NZOC ahead of the Games.

In August of last year, the NZOC launched a "Rio 2016 Be the Inspiration campaign" to coincide with One Year To Go celebrations until the Olympic Games.

New Zealand are seeking to improve on their 15th place finish at London 2012, where they won six golds in a 13-medal haul.