event: PURE SOUTH MASTER BUTCHER teams challenge
Celebrating the masters of the trade
The Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge saw four teams of three qualified master butchers showcase their finely tuned craft with a one-and-a-half-hour ‘sprint’ breaking down a whole lamb, beef forequarter, a pork loin and two chickens. The teams’ challenge is the chance for the masters of the industry to throw around a bit of butcher banter and put their teamwork to the test, as they worked together to create the most elaborate display.
This year also saw a touch of Trans-Tasman rivalry, with Australia joining the three Kiwi teams and entering a team called the Black Gloves, raising the stakes and adding a competitive international edge to the contest.
After a closely fought competition two teams emerged victorious, with a tie between the T.A PAK’nSAVE Stickmen from Te Awamutu and the Black Gloves from Australia.
T.A PAK’nSAVE STICKMEN +
BLACK GLOVES (AUS)
2025 Winning teams of the Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge
T.A PAK’nSAVE Stickmen - Brad Gillespie, Callum August and Brendon Alexander from PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu
Black Gloves (AUS) - Brett Laws from Pryde Meats, Luke Thomas from Millers Gourmet Meats and Craig Munro from Munro's Quality Meats
AWARD WINNERS
PEOPLE’S CHOICE BEST DISPLAY AWARD
Foodie Fighters - Luka Young from Foodstuffs North Island, Calum Sutherland from Four Square Edmund Road and Bryce Gyde fromNew World Orewa
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Best Beef Product
Brisket Jalapeño + Cheddar Truffles by the T.A PAK’nSAVE Stickmen
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Best Lamb Product
Provolone Chump Roast by the Black Gloves
2025 Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge
PAST WINNERS
2024 Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge Winners
Cut Above Butchers - WINNERS
Brad Gillespie, PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu
Hannah Miller Childs, A Lady Butcher
David Parsons, PAK’nSAVE Sylvia Park
PAKI PAKI KNIFE SLAYERS - RUNNER UPS
Scott Roa, New World Hastings
Cissy Morrell, New World Hastings
Makarena Mariekura, New World Hastings
PEOPLE’S CHOICE BEST DISPLAY AWARD
Paki Paki Knife Slayers
Product Award Winners
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Best Beef Product
The Pheasant Pluckers (Jared McLeod & Dion Puncheon from New World Regent and Harley Roulston from New World Onerahi) - Beef Supreme
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Best Lamb Product
Cut Above Butchers - Slice of Heaven
2023 Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge Winners
the COWBOYS
James Smith, The Tattooed Butcher & Online Chop Butchery
Charles Compston, Franklin Country Meats
Craig Haize, Franklin Country Meats
Product Award Winners
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Best Beef Product
Cut Above Butchers (Brad Gillespie, Hannah Miller Childs & David Parsons) - Umami Roast, Prime Beef Roast with Miso and Seaweed Salad
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Best Lamb Product
Cut Above Butchers (Brad Gillespie, Hannah Miller Childs & David Parsons) - Premium Lamb Scotch Fillet with a Herb Butter Wrap
2022 Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge Winners
the black gloves (aus)
Craig Munro, Munro's Quality Meats
Brett Laws, Pryde Meats Narellan
Garreth Gorringe, The Meat Boutique
2021 Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge Winners
No Egos Amigos
Marti Hiki, Skills4Work
David Parsons, Mad Butcher Mt Roskill
Haaneh Rudolph, Tikipunga Fresh Foods
2020 Pure South Master Butcher Winner (individual competition)
Rob Lees, Warkworth Butchery
