From baker to award-winning butcher: Adrianna sharpens her skills at PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu
PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu butcher Adrianna Te Aonui knows first-hand how hard work, the right support, encouragement and opportunities can transform a career.
Fifteen years after joining the store as a teenager, Adrianna is an award-winning qualified butcher preparing to compete again in the prestigious Retail Meats Young Butcher of the Year competition on June 17.
Adrianna joined PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu shortly after the store opened in 2010, initially looking for an after-school job while studying at Te Awamutu College.
“I just really needed an afternoon job. I was going to get paid and work at the same time,” she says.
Fresh out of school and already passionate about food, Adrianna had built an impressive culinary record, winning more than 20 medals at the annual Waikato Culinary Fare during high school. She began a bakery apprenticeship through Skills for Work and quickly discovered PAK’nSAVE was more than just a workplace.
“It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle when you work here,” Adrianna says. “It’s like a little family in our own department.”
Over the past 15 years, PAK’nSAVE has supported Adrianna to build a range of skills and qualifications across multiple departments. Her training has included bakery and butchery apprenticeships, forklift certification, a young leaders management course, food safety and compliance training, administration courses, and gaining her duty manager’s licence.
“The opportunities are endless,” she says. “If I have a question my manager doesn’t know, there will be someone who knows. I’ve never not felt supported coming here.”
About three-and-a-half years ago, Adrianna made the unexpected move from bakery into butchery.
“My family and friends didn’t expect me to go into butchery – it came out of left field really,” she says. “They expected I’d stay on the sweeter, warmer side of the store.”
But the challenge appealed to her.
“I wanted to learn a new trade that would be helpful. It’s good to be challenging yourself.”
Adrianna officially qualified as a butcher just three days before winning the Retail Meats Pact Packaging Waikato Young Butcher of the Year title in 2025.
“That was a pretty amazing week,” she says.
Her success reflects the strong culture and mentorship within the award-winning PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu butchery team, led by Butchery Manager Brendon Alexander.
PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu butchery team members, from left, butcher Brad Gillespie, butchery manager
Brendon Alexander, butcher Adrianna Te Aonui.
Last year, the store’s butchery team also placed first nationally in a New Zealand butchery competition, while apprentice Cody Burbery won the ANZCO Foods Waikato Butcher Apprentice of the Year. Butcher Brad Gillespie placed 10th overall at the World Butcher Wars at Meatstock in Sydney last month, and placed 5th in the world at the 2025 World Butchers’ Challenge in Paris.
“We push each other to be better,” Adrianna says. “I’ve had awesome managers and mentors over the years. Bob, who recently retired, inspired me a lot. He’s 76 years old and still works like he’s 15 [years old]. I learned so much from him.”
She still regularly lends a hand in the bakery when needed.
Adrianna says one of the things she values most is the supportive team culture.
“It’s awesome getting to meet new people and seeing our regular customers every day. The culture here is awesome. Every day you’re welcome.”
Outside of work, Adrianna enjoys spending time with family and helping care for her nieces and nephews. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue growing her skills, and potentially become a manager – or even own her own PAK’nSAVE one day.
“The only department I haven’t worked in is the office,” she says. “Yet.”
PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu Owner Operator Jeremy Bennett says Adrianna’s career highlights the incredible opportunities available for people willing to learn and grow.
“Adrianna is an outstanding example of someone who has embraced every opportunity in front of her,” he says. “Her passion, work ethic and commitment to supporting others make her an incredibly valued member of our team. We’re proud to support our people to build meaningful, long-term careers.”