Hawke’s Bay butcher Rhys Tamanui has been crowned 2026 New Zealand Young Butcher of the Year.

The Waipawa Butchery butcher credits hard work, a massive amount of support from many people, sponsors, his workplace and crew here.

He placed third in the apprentice category at last year’s World Butchers’ Challenge in Paris.

“I was more nervous on Thursday than I was on the world stage,” says Tamanui.

He says the trade is reviving.

“It died off a little bit in the early 2000s, but I think it’s making a resurgence.”

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