NEW ZEALAND'S BEST BUTCHERY TALENT TAKES CENTRE STAGE

 

New Zealand's newest butchery champions have been crowned at the 2026 National Butchery Awards following an intense afternoon of competitions at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium.

The winners are:

- Rhys Tamanui from Waipawa Butchery, Hawkes Bay - Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year (picture 1)

- Cody Burbery from PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu - ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year (picture 2)

- The Foodie Fighters (Luka Young, Calum Sutherland, Bryce Gyde) - Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge (picture 3)

The country's most talented butchers competed for national titles in front of a packed crowd of industry colleagues, friends and supporters - showcasing exceptional technical expertise, speed and creativity in New Zealand's premier butchery competition. After a demanding two-hour cutting test, the nation's finest butchery professionals and emerging talent were recognised for their outstanding skill, craftsmanship and dedication to the trade.

Rhys Tamanui says, “This means so much to me. So much work goes into this behind the scenes, and it's only made possible by my team at Waipawa Butchery. They are the reason I can get away, train and take the time to do it all.”

Cody Burbery who took out the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice title says, "I’m thrilled with the win! A huge thank you to everyone at work for all the support, it’s what kept me going. This competition is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everyone’s skill and talent. My advice to fellow competitors: just keep going and persevere. You are all amazing."

The finalists earned their place at the National Butchery Awards following five regional heats held across the country in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Waikato and Auckland throughout June and July. A total of 18 Young Butchers competed across the regional heats, with six finalists progressing to the national showdown. In the apprentice category, 37 entrants competed for one of six places in the final. Each category included one wildcard entrant.

Competitors in both the Pact Packaging Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice categories had two hours to break down a beef rump, pork shoulder, lamb leg, two chickens and a mystery cut in a retail-ready display of value-added products. Apprentice butchers also completed a written theory test and a formal interview with the judging panel.

Head judge Peter Martin, Butchery Training Advisor at Skills4Work says the competition tested both technical precision and creative flair, as entrants worked under pressure in front of eight expert judges.

"Rhys has shown remarkable improvement over the years he's competed both here in Aotearoa and globally, finishing third at the World Butchers' Challenge last year,” says Martin.  “Today was another step up, with super knife skills and a great variety of innovative products.”

Martin also says, “Cody is a shining example of why the butchery craft has such a bright future ahead of it - he's clearly been mentored well by the team at PAK'nSAVE Te Awamutu. His performance in the cutting test was exceptional but he backed up with a high score in the exam and strong interview performance. He has a bright future ahead of him.”

In a display of expertise and camaraderie, the Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge brought together seasoned professionals to test their speed, technique and teamwork. Four teams of three qualified master butchers each had two hours to break down a beef forequarter, whole lamb, pork loin and poultry, producing a striking display that combined craftsmanship and creativity.

The Foodie Fighters​ were the victorious team who claimed the prestigious team trophy after a closely fought competition

Team captain Luka Young says, “To be able to do this with my teammates is amazing, especially after going so close last year. It would have been easy to give up and make excuses – but we came together this year, put a lot of time and effort into the goals we set out to achieve and it paid off.”

Both the Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year and the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2028 World Butchers' Challenge. They will also be eligible for selection in the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand Team, who compete at the World Champion Young Butcher Competition as part of the World Butchers' Challenge. Both winners will also receive a trophy and a premium knife set.

The victorious team in the Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge received the prestigious team trophy, along with prize money to share among its members.

The National Butchery Awards are proudly supported by Pact Packaging, ANZCO Foods, Pure South, Dunninghams, Hellers, Argus, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Skills4Work, Tegel, Victory Knives, Wilson Hellaby, Cabernet Foods, NZPork and Rum and Que.

BEST PRODUCT AWARDS:

 Pact Packaging Young Butcher & ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice Categories: 

  • Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘Best Beef Product’ - Cody Burbery, PAK'nSAVE, Te Awamutu - Beef Truffles

  • Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘Best Lamb Product’ - Matthew Hiroti, PAK'nSAVE Ormiston - Lambchetta

  • NZPork ‘Best Pork Product’  - Chloe Steel, De Bauchery, Stuffed Pork Scotch Roast

  • Tegel Foods ‘Best Chicken Product’ - Chloe Steel, De Bauchery, BBQ Chicken Mignons

  • Cabernet Foods ‘Cleanest Bones’ - Rhys Tamanui, Waipawa Butchery

  • Skills4Work ‘Emerging Talent’ - Mya Wilson-Hiraka, New World Mangawhai

Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge:

  • People’s Choice Best Display - The Foodie Fighters

  • Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘Best Beef Product’ - The Foodie Fighters, Portobello Pavilion

  • Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘Best Lamb Product’ - The Foodie Fighters, The Grand Legs

 
Caroline Peach