New World Motuekas Morgan Moore named Butcher Apprentice of the Year
Morgan Moore from New World Motueka wins the 2023 ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year.
New Zealand’s most talented young butcher apprentice has been revealed – and her name is Morgan Moore from New World Motueka.
On August 24th, Morgan travelled up from Tasman Bay to compete in the Grand Final of the ANZCO Butchery Apprentice of the Year competition, an annual event that gives up-and-coming butchers the chance to showcase their skills and gain recognition within the retail meat sector.
Morgan says hearing her name announced as the winner was the final affirmation she needed that her career was on the right track.
“I started off working in the fitness industry, but my passion for butchery comes from being married to a farmer and wondering where the animals go when they leave the farm,” she says.
“My partner and I’s dream is to be able to do the whole cycle together from farm to plate. We’re already finding ways to combine our two jobs, while also having our own individual things to focus on.”
Morgan says her favourite part of being a butcher is getting to “prepare, cook and present something that brings people together and brings them joy.”
“I’m also fascinated by muscles!” she laughs. “Everyone’s got muscles.”
The grand final tasked the six competitors with breaking down an entire lamb leg, pork loin, beef rump and size 20 chicken into a display of value-added products, all while under the watchful eye of judges in a tight two-hour timeframe.
Morgan and her fellow contestants also needed to complete a multiple-choice exam and an interview with the judges.
"My favourite part of the competition was that interview,” she says.
“I'm really interested in the industry and where it’s going, so getting the chance to speak to butchery experts and share stories and knowledge with them was really cool.”
Morgan and five of the six finalists are all Foodstuffs employees midway through the Foodstuffs Butchery Apprentice programme.
The three-year initiative is run in collaboration with Skills4Work and provides young butchers with essential skills and on-the-job training to fast-track their career pathways.
Foodstuffs South Learning and Development Business Partner Kelly Chapman says the apprenticeship programme was developed to address New Zealand's butcher shortage by providing comprehensive training to 100 young Kiwis annually.
“Many new hires come into our supermarkets seeking general employment, and don’t realise the opportunities that are available in specific fields such as butchery. Programmes like these allow us to expose them to specialised fields they may be interested in and nurture their potential for future success.
“All five finalists are perfect examples of the young talent we try and foster with this programme, and we couldn’t be prouder of their success.” Kelly says.
Morgan says she recommends the apprenticeship programme to any young people interested in starting their butchery journey.
“I absolutely loved coming up through Foodstuffs,” she says.
“They taught me everything I needed to know and the support they’ve provided has been amazing.”
As a reward for her first-place win, Morgan received a trophy as well as an all-expenses paid trip to France to compete in the 2025 World Butcher’s Challenge as part of the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand team.
She says she’s never been to France before but is excitedly planning her trip alongside her family.