Team: THE HELLERS SHARP BLACKS

The Hellers Sharp Blacks - New Zealand’s National Butchery Team

The Hellers Sharp Blacks our national butchery team compete every two years at the World Butchers’ Challenge (WBC). The World Butchers' Challenge returns again in 2028 and our team of six, made up of the best butchers from around the country, will represent New Zealand in Australia.

Since 2011 the Hellers Sharp Blacks have had multiple successes in the competition. In 2013 they took home the Pure South Tri-Nation's trophy, beating Australia and Great Britain in a test match held in Wanaka. In 2014 they retained the trophy, once again beating Australia and Great Britain in a test match held in Harrogate, England and they became three-time World Champions in 2015 on home ground in Auckland. In 2016 they faced Australia and Great Britain once again in addition to a new team from France as the competition was renamed the World Butchers' Challenge. The competition was held in the Gold Coast, Australia with France taking out the title in their first year of competing.

2018 in Belfast proved to be no different with the team in black bringing home a silver medal. And given their emblem is a silver fern, it has a nice ring to it! 2022 saw some significant changes to the team but this didn’t hold them back, with the team bringing home the bronze medal as they fought hard for a place on the podium against 13 countries from around the world, in Sacramento, USA.

2025 saw the team compete in Paris against 16 teams, their toughest competition yet. While they did not place overall, they achieved international recognition with their World’s Best Lamb Product win, showcasing the team’s exceptional skill and innovation on the global stage.

2028 Sharp Black Team member applications will be opening early May 2026 so if you think you’ve got what it takes to hit the world stage be sure to put an application in!

The team members are selected for their outstanding butchery skills, as well as their ability to be part of this team, ensuring they will work well together under the enormous amount of pressure that awaits them in that stadium, competing against the world’s best butchers.

Applications for the 2028 team - opening May 2026