Canterbury Meat Heavyweight Wins Christie Award

David Baines, General Manager of New Zealand Pork, has been awarded the prestigious Christie Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the retail meat industry.  Having originally trained as an accountant, David has brought a wealth of business and financial skills to various meat industry organisations over the years.  David was recognised with this prestigious award at the Alto Butcher & ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice Awards Dinner in Auckland this evening.

David has worked tirelessly, often in his own time, for the betterment of the New Zealand meat industry, while also juggling full time work  heading up Alliance Meats for over twenty five years, where he oversaw the operation of sales to the domestic market and led a dynamic team of people who are still contributing to the meat industry today.

David said of the win: “I’m really honoured to win the Christie Award. When I think of all the people who have won the award previously, they’re all legends in the meat industry. To be part of that group it’s tremendously humbling and also a great honour. I’m really thrilled.”

Now in its tenth year, the retail meat industry’s annual recognition for a lifetime of commitment, fervour and perseverance to enhance the trade, was set in honour of Geof Christie, a butcher and tutor of trainee butchers in polytechnics, whose passion for his trade was tireless.

​Jason Trewern, president of Retail Meat New Zealand for the past three years, and instrumental in the selection of David, said: “I am delighted the Award has gone to David.  He has been instrumental in leading many meat industry organisations and steering them through some tough times.  His unwavering dedication and business knowledge along with giving countless hours of his own time shows his dedication to the betterment of the industry.”

David Baines joins an esteemed list of other Christie Award recipients that includes The Mad Butcher, Sir Peter Leitch; Todd Heller, founder of Hellers NZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand CEO, Rod Slater amongst others.