Three years ago, Morgan Moore was happy in her work as a qualified personal trainer and massage therapist, as well as helping out on the family farm in Motueka, where her husband Reuben Moore is a third-generation farmer.
One day, when the driven young couple were discussing their desire to share a “paddock to plate” story about the high-quality meat grown on the farm, Morgan, 27, had a revelation about the gaps in their knowledge.
“I knew one of us was going to have to become a butcher,” she says.
With Reuben, 27, busy on the farm, Morgan was the obvious choice. “I already had a lot of knowledge about the science of muscle structure thanks to my personal training and massage therapy work. This crossed over really well into butchery and I quickly developed a passion for the trade.”
When finishing up her butchery apprenticeship at New World Moteuka, Morgan’s dedication to her craft and exceptional skills were on full display at the national butchery competition run by Retail Meat New Zealand, where she was crowned the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year. Part of her prize was being named in the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand squad to compete in the World Champion Butcher Apprentice and Young Butcher competition in Paris in March 2025, a curtain-raiser event to the World Butchers’ Challenge.
“I spent a lot of hours gearing up for this competition and it was incredible to win. I wanted to do it not just for me, but for all the people who pulled together to get me there.”
Morgan’s winning display showcased her meat skills and her whānau’s ceramics.
One of Morgan’s crew was her 2IC at Motueka New World, who got up with her at 3am every morning for weeks to practise. “She was so encouraging and didn’t pamper me at all,” tells Morgan. “I have such respect that she pulled those crazy hours to help me get on stage.”
Whānau and her Māori heritage are important to Morgan, and were reflected in the table she created for the competition’s two-hour practical session. To enhance the display of her beef, lamb and chicken products, she added stunning customised pots and earthenware created by her ceramicist uncle and artist cousin.
There was also wine and honey from neighbouring producers with links to the Moores’ farm. “It meant a lot that the table reflected both my whānau and the whānau I have married into. They all uplift me and provide me with a foundation to succeed.”
Morgan says her competitiveness in sports also stood her in good stead for the butchery competition. “I have to be honest, I am a bit of a show pony,” she laughs. “I push myself to do things really well.”
Reuben is Morgan’s “best friend and biggest cheerleader”, she says. The couple has known each other since meeting at primary school in Motueka at the age of six.
“We went out when we were 12 or 13 but broke up because I thought we were too young. We got together again when we were 18 and were married at 20. He’s my best friend in the whole world, and is the most supportive and incredible guy I could ask for.”
Morgan and husband Reuben’s Friday night barbecues are legend!
Maintaining strong bonds with whānau and friends is a key driver for the young couple. They host a barbecue every Friday evening, with Morgan putting meat on the smoker and barbecue, and guests bringing a salad. “People
are a huge passion for me. Everyone has a story and we love bringing people together in a space where they feel comfortable to be themselves.”
The barbecues also give Morgan an opportunity to share her excitement about meat, and the many different ways it can be prepared and cooked. “Our biggest long-term goal is to get the community and our customers interested in locally farmed meat, the story behind it and to showcase all the amazing things you can do with it.”
Morgan is already planning her next steps. She recently qualified as a butcher and has joined a local home-kill operation to develop her butchery skills further, with their “paddock to plate” goal in mind.
Although butchery has long been considered a male-dominated profession, five out of the six finalists who won their way into the Butcher Apprentice of the Year national final were women. Morgan says butchery transcends gender.
“The important thing is having the skills and enthusiasm for the trade, and not whether we are male or female. When I was growing up, I didn’t think about gender. My dad taught me to throw and kick because that’s what I was interested in. My message to any young girl or boy is if you have a passion or interest in something, go for it.”
