Following on from their two Golds and a Silver in 2022, and a Gold and Bronze in 2024, Warkworth Butchery led by Rob Lees and his dedicated team has once again proven they’re among New Zealand’s finest. At the 2025 100% NZ Bacon & Ham Awards, the team took home Gold for their Dry Cured Streaky Bacon and Bronze for their Farm Gate Heritage Ham.

Quality You Can Taste

The 100% NZ Bacon & Ham Awards aren’t just about turning up with a creative recipe. To compete, entries must be products made and sold in-store a true test of consistency and craftsmanship. At Warkworth Butchery, Rob and the team keep things simple, focusing on traditional techniques and quality ingredients. Their award-winning bacon is created using time-honoured methods, giving the meat ample curing time to achieve a deep, natural smoke and an exceptional flavour. With seven bacon varieties already available, the butchery is constantly experimenting, pushing boundaries, and striving to make each batch even better than the last.

The Secret Behind Their Award-Winning Ham

The Farm Gate Heritage Ham, which won Bronze in 2025, is another showcase of Warkworth Butchery’s commitment to excellence. Made using free-range pork, the process involves slow curing, careful smoking, and small-batch production an approach that prioritises flavour, texture, and quality.While this delicious ham is available all year round, demand always soars at Christmas, when locals and visitors alike stock up for the festive season.

Sharing the Craft: Butchery Masterclasses

Beyond producing award-winning products, Rob and the Warkworth Butchery team are passionate about sharing their skills and knowledge with the community. Their Butchery Masterclasses are becoming just as popular as their product range.During these hands-on sessions, participants learn how to break down a whole sheep step by step under expert guidance.

At the end, there’s a fun twist: names are drawn from a hat to decide who takes home a leg, loin, or shoulder.But the learning and rewards don’t stop there. Participants also make their own sausages during the class, which they get to take home too. For more details or to book a spot in the next Basic Butchery Masterclass, visit: http://shorturl.at/ncVTE

Celebrating Excellence

From multiple Golds and Silvers over the past few years to breaking new ground in 2025, Warkworth Butchery continues to set the standard for quality, craftsmanship, and passion. Rob Lees and his talented team have proven once again that when you combine traditional methods, innovation, and dedication to excellence, the results are truly award-winning.