Posts by Northern Outlook
1631 days ago

Two North Canterbury butchers to slice and dice at national competition final

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

Samantha Weller, from Pak’n Save Rangiora, placed first in the Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year category, while co-worker Maria Pio (pictured) claimed first spot in the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year category.

Saturday’s competition at Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch was the fifth and final heat in a national series to find New Zealand’s top butchers to compete in a grand final showdown in Auckland in August.

The contestants put their boning, trimming, slicing and dicing skills to the test over two hours as they broke down a size 20 chicken, a whole pork leg, and a beef short loin into a display of value-added products.

Weller is no stranger to competitions and said she was delighted with her win.

“I want the grand title so badly – it has been my goal since I started competing and is my biggest goal for this year.”

Pio is in her third year as an apprentice and attributes her success to the support and mentors she has had during this time.

“I feel very proud of what I have achieved in my career so far. I am so happy to have an amazing team behind me to support me.”

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More messages from your neighbours
14 hours ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 9.8% Yes! New Year, New Me
    9.8% Complete
  • 22% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    22% Complete
  • 68.1% Nah - not for me
    68.1% Complete
254 votes
8 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    78.7% Complete
  • 21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    21.3% Complete
1272 votes
6 days ago

Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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