Waipawa Butchery, Central Hawke’s Bay
The butchery in Waipawa is a legend. It’s been operating in this little Central Hawke’s Bay town for a very long time. It was bought several years ago from the old butcher by Duncan and Annabel who also own Patangata Station not far from there. Patangata Station is a beautiful sheep and cattle farm. See images of the station here.
Photographing the butchery has become a long term project. The place is so full of character. The building itself is old. The front shop was tastefully renovated by the new owners who made sure the character of the shop would be retained. The back of the shop, with its old raw wooden butcher’s blocks, concrete floors and butchers working at a fast pace, is a vibrant and exciting place. Sometimes it feels like a busy train station at peak time where you have to dodge and dive to avoid bumping into people. This is the place where, on a daily basis, whole animal hand cutting and sausages making takes place.
