Keith Oddy, who established the Aussie Butcher franchise in 1984, received the annual Christie award for his contribution to the promotion, growth and strength of the New Zealand meat industry.
The award is named in honour of Geof Christie, a butcher and tutor of trainee butchers in polytechnics.
The Aussie Butcher franchise is now the second largest retail meat franchise in the country with eight stores in the North Island.
Oddy has also spent a lot of time training and mentoring apprentices.
