Beef + Lamb Platinum Ambassador Chef Rex Morgan recently joined forces with SO/ Auckland to bring back the legendary flavours of Citron, the popular Wellington restaurant that helped define a generation of New Zealand dining. Read about it here: thechefskitchen.co.nz/meat-o…

Join us at Cornwall Park on Sat 18 Oct for World Iron Awareness Week with parkrun. After the 8am run: beef burgers, live music, games, giveaways – and a chance to meet rugby star Stacey Waaka. Aucklanders, register for Parkrun and come along!

When you’ve already won Visa Wellington On a Plate’s Burger Welly twice, how do you take it to the next level? For our Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef Chetan Pangam, it wasn’t just about bold flavours – it was about creating a dish that told a story, honouring the heritage and people who shaped his journey. Read how Chetan brought this year’s ‘Food is Love’ theme to life in his latest Burger Welly entry here: thechefskitchen.co.nz/meat-o…

We were proud to support the country’s top butchery talent yesterday at the National Butchery Awards at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium. The competition brought together skilled butchers from across New Zealand to showcase their craft, with top honours going to Anton Rameka – New World Mangawhai, Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year, and Alex Pellow – New World Mt. Maunganui, ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year Congratulations to all competitors who demonstrated the passion and skill that make New Zealand’s butchery industry world-class. Read press release here: rmnz.co.nz/news/2025/8/15/ne…

When North meets South – it’s a Beef + Lamb Ambassador Series dinner you won’t want to miss! Join us for a one-night-only culinary collaboration at The Fat Duck in Te Anau, where Chef Dean Thompson from Schnappa Rock in Tutukaka will bring the fresh flavours of Northland, and Chef Cameron Davies will showcase the bold, hearty flavours of the South. Find out more and book tickets here: thechefskitchen.co.nz/ambass…

We’re super excited to be named among the finalists for the YouTube NZ Marketing Awards 2025 – for our Fuelling the Fern campaign and sponsorship of The New Zealand Team in 2024. With a record number of entries this year, we’re especially honoured to have made it through. This campaign brought together our sponsorship of the New Zealand Olympic Team, a new TV ad, major broadcast partnership, digital content, event activations, and a whole lot of national pride. @TheNZTeam Big thanks to our agency and media partners who all helped to pull this together: Lassoo Media, Conductor, Sky New Zealand BCG2, Honoco, Kantar Read more here nzmarketingmag.co.nz/record-…

We are so proud of our Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chefs Dean Thompson and Cameron Davies taking out awards at the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence! In addition to Cam from The Fat Duck in Te Anau being named Chef of the Year, Schnappa Rock restaurant in Tutukaka where Dean is head chef took the award for Best Destination Venue. Dean says: “We were up against some big names, so winning Best Destination Venue was a real surprise and honestly, it means the most to us. Being a destination spot isn’t just about food; it’s about adding to the place and the experience. Whether it’s a bowl of fries or an 8-course menu, we do what we do well, and it’s awesome to be recognised for that.” Cam says: “I’m so proud to take out this title- it means the world to be recognised by the industry, especially among such a talented group of finalists. This win is huge for Te Anau and our whole team at The Fat Duck. Every ship needs a captain, but it’s the crew that makes it sail. Massive thanks to the judges for recognising my leadership, innovation, and commitment to supporting young chefs. It’s been a lifetime of work and it’s only just getting started.”

Big congratulations to our talented Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef Cameron Davies, who has just been named Chef of the Year at the Hospitality New Zealand 2025 People’s Awards for Excellence! Recognising leadership, innovation and exceptional service in the hospitality industry, these awards shine a spotlight on the best – and we’re proud to see Cam take the top honour. Well done, Cam and the team at The Fat Duck!

The classic Kiwi roast is making a comeback, with a twist. The NZ Herald spoke to three of our Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chefs - Dean Thompson, Nic Kearney and Cameron Davies, along with Hellers Sharp Black butcher Reuben Sharples, to find out how they’re reimagining this much-loved tradition. nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/sun…

In response to recent media discussion around the closure of Bean Supreme (an alternative protein) and broader shifts in the plant-based meat sector, Beef + Lamb New Zealand contributed a nutrition-focused perspective on Newstalk ZB’s Matt Heath and Tyler Adams Show. Julia Sekula, our Head of Nutrition and a Registered Dietitian joined the conversation to discuss how plant-based meat alternatives compare nutritionally with red meat. Listen to the interview here: newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/matt…

Beef + Lamb New Zealand is proud to be working with EATucation - a programme that brings food and nutrition education into the classroom. Our involvement will help to ensure red meat is part of the conversation around healthy eating, as well as supporting careers in nutrition and hospitality. As part of this partnership, we invited Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef, Chetan Pangam to step into the classroom and share his knowledge, skills, and passion with students. Read more here: thechefskitchen.co.nz/meat-o…

Rhys Tamanui, 23, from Waipawa Butchery in the Hawke’s Bay placed third in the World Champion Butcher Apprentice competition in Paris last week. The apprentice competition was part of the World Butchers’ Challenge which brought together top butchers and butcher apprentices from around the globe. There was also honours for the Hellers Sharp Blacks – our national butchery team – winning the Best Lamb Product category for their Te Whā Nōta Cutlets (pictured). Read the full press release: rmnz.co.nz/news/2025/4/2/kiw…

Our nutrition team keeps a close eye on international research, and this recent Swedish study caught their attention. Researchers examined 475 high school girls and found that those following an omnivorous diet (eating both plants and meat) had the highest iron levels. This was significantly higher than pescatarians and vegans/vegetarians, with iron deficiency being more common among those avoiding meat. The lower bioavailability (absorption) of iron in plant-based diets may have been a reason for this. Vitamin C (from fruit) was linked to better absorption. This reinforces the importance of a balanced diet that supports adequate iron intake, especially during critical life stages like adolescence. We’ve recently updated our Iron Facts resources. Click below to learn more about iron, including food sources, daily requirements, and why it matters. beeflambnz.co.nz/s/Iron-Fact… Click here to read the research results link.springer.com/article/10…

After a very impressive selection of applicants, the NZ Food Communicators Scholarship judges had a tough task narrowing it down to just two! Here’s what they had to say about this year’s recipients… Georgia van Prehn Georgia already has a very impressive career as a chef, but it was her application for the scholarship that led the judges to believe Georgia will be the perfect fit for the scholarship. The judges said “Georgia has a clear view of where she sees her future around food communication and acknowledged that she needs help in achieving this. Her writing showed glimpses of honesty and humour which we found engaging”. Alice Bickerstaff Alice’s enthusiasm for food and cooking food, along with an eagerness to inform on important areas such as food security and sustainability caught the judges attention in her application for the scholarship. The judges said “it is apparent that Alice is all over the New Zealand food scene, impressive for her youthful age. Her application was a delight to read”. You can follow along with their scholarship journey over on Instagram @food_communicators_scholarship instagram.com/food_communica… We’re super proud to be supporting this scholarship!

Farmer Time for Schools continues to grow, giving more Kiwi students the chance to connect with farmers and gain real-world insights into food production. Over the past year, student participation has increased by 14.1%, showing the impact of this innovative virtual learning experience. We’re proud to support this programme as it inspires the next generation to learn about farming, sustainability, and where their food comes from. Read more in the press release: farmertime.co.nz/newsmedia/f…

The annual Open Farms day is on this Sunday - 8 March. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone to visit a farm and learn more about how our food is produced in New Zealand. If you’re interested, register to visit a farm near you. openfarms.co.nz/

Applications are now open for the 2025 NZ Food Communicators Scholarship! After a hugely successful first year, this 12-week programme is back to help the next generation of food writers, photographers, and storytellers sharpen their skills and launch their careers. We’re proud to support this incredible initiative once again, ensuring passionate food communicators have the mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive. Find out more information here: kathypaterson.co.nz/apply

Many thanks to @dieworkwear for highlighting this fashion faux pas. It raised $1,620 for KidsCan which will help support children in need with the essentials to start school from day one.

As we wrap up and reflect on a highly successful National Lamb Day, we want to take a moment to thank the incredible industry support that made it all possible. A huge thanks to our partners for National Lamb Day 2025 - we couldn’t have done it without you! #NationalLambDay

Today is National Lamb Day! Let’s celebrate our amazing farmers and food producers who bring us the finest, grass-fed lamb. From the pioneering days of frozen lamb exports in 1882 to the world-renowned quality we enjoy today, New Zealand lamb continues to be a symbol of excellence. So fire up the BBQ, gather your friends and family, and raise a chop to the history and hard work behind every delicious bite! #NationalLambDay