Akaroa Butchery, Deli & Pantry

Akaroa Butchery, Deli + Pantry is a feature on the seaside village’s main road of Rue Lavaud. This 100+ year old purpose-built building is full of character and storybook charm, as one would expect from the French-influenced little Canterbury town. Think porch over footpath and large windows with a glimpse of the sea. There’s nothing mass-produced here; quality goods and service are at the heart of everything they do.

Owners T Dunn and Julia Atkinson-Dunn are just the latest in a long line of proprietors and bought the butchery seeking the semi-rural lifestyle offered by the Banks Peninsula location. With no prior experience operating a butchery, as a bricklayer and an artist/writer, they got stuck in and learned the industry through hard work and great support from their community. Along the way, they’ve added their own touches and spin on things, the interior is certainly prettier than you’ll find in most meat purveyors!

This village-style butchery puts a large focus on championing and supplying quality New Zealand-grown meats to locals and visitors alike, as well as spotlighting independent food producers. Julia says their goal is to step people out of the supermarket experience and into a far more personalised food shop, supporting suppliers throughout Aotearoa. When you visit Akaroa Butchery, Deli + Pantry, you’ll learn about the origins and people behind the product, grounding you in a shop local mindset.

So what can you expect to find on any given day when you walk into the butchery? There’ll be grass-fed beef and lamb sourced from around the country, North Canterbury free-farmed pork, New Zealand high country farmed venison, Akaroa Salmon and Bostock Chicken. You’ll find store-made small batch sausages, ham and bacon and specialty pre-marinated chicken kebabs. Not to mention their extensive range of New Zealand-produced cheeses, fresh pasta, pierogis and more in the chillers. Plus a large pantry range of local olive oils, hot sauces, marinades and the list goes on.

You really need to make the time to visit Akaroa Butchery, Deli + Pantry when you are next visiting Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula. It will certainly make your visit that much tastier and leave you feeling connected to the owners and the suppliers they champion.