Mad Butcher Lower Hutt: Moving? Hours, Specials & Meat Tips

Few local butchers inspire the kind of loyalty Mad Butcher does – if you’ve been to the Lower Hutt store at 91 High Street, you know the line can stretch on a Saturday morning. This guide brings together the latest on hours, weekly specials, and how to make the most of your meat shop, plus a look at New Zealand’s changing meat prices and which cuts give you the best value.

Address: 91 High Street, Lower Hutt ·
Hours: 7am–6pm daily ·
Phone: 04 569 8533 ·
Weekly specials: Yes, online and in-store ·
Most consumed meat in NZ: Chicken ·
Cheapest cuts: Chicken, mince, offal

Six facts that define Mad Butcher Lower Hutt right now:

Is Mad Butcher Lower Hutt moving?

The short answer: it’s complicated. The official Mad Butcher website and third‑party directories still list the store at 91 High Street (Mad Butcher Hutt page). However, a now‑deleted Facebook post reportedly announced a move to 31 Knights Rd, opposite Queensgate Mall. The post has not been independently verified, and the store’s own digital footprint has not been updated.

What are the opening hours of Mad Butcher in Lower Hutt?

• Monday–Sunday: 7:00am – 6:00pm – confirmed by the Mad Butcher website and Shopfully.
• Public holiday hours may vary; contact the store directly on 04 569 8533.
• Click & Collect is available Monday–Saturday, pickup after 12pm.

The pattern: the store keeps consistent hours that suit early shoppers and after‑work crowds. With no competing announcement, the safest bet is to treat 91 High St as the current location.

What are some popular Mad butcher recipes?

With weekly specials on chicken, mutton, and pork, the range suits everything from mid‑week stir‑fries to weekend roasts. Mad Butcher sells cuts from chicken drumsticks ($4.99/kg) to butterflied whole chickens ($10.95 each) (store page). Popular home‑cook recipes include:

• Lemon & herb chicken thighs – using the boneless skinless breast fillets at $10.99/kg
• Pork shoulder chop casserole – slow‑cooked with vegetables, using Fresh NZ Pork Shoulder Chops at $10.99/kg
• Mutton chop curry – a Kiwi favourite, with mutton chops at $13.99/kg

Customers frequently share recipes on social media; the official website does not host a recipe section, but many butchers offer preparation tips in‑store.

What are the cheapest meat cuts in New Zealand?

If you’re watching your budget, the lowest‑priced options at Mad Butcher Lower Hutt are chicken drumsticks ($4.99/kg), chicken mince (similar price), and sausages. Among red meats, offal (liver, kidney) and blade steak offer the best value per kilogram.

What is the poor man’s steak cut?

“Poor man’s steak” is a term used for cuts that are flavour‑packed but tougher, requiring slow cooking. In New Zealand, the most common candidates are blade steak, chuck steak, and topside. They come from well‑exercised muscles and are best braised or stewed. At Mad Butcher, blade steak typically costs less than half the price of ribeye (Beef + Lamb New Zealand guidelines).

Three budget cuts, one pattern: the cheapest meats are also the ones that demand a little more cooking skill. Chicken drumsticks are a no‑brainer for beginners; blade steak rewards patience.

Why is beef so expensive in NZ now?

Beef prices have climbed sharply in 2023–2024. According to Stats NZ, beef mince rose by roughly 15% year‑on‑year, driven by higher feed and transport costs, strong export demand, and general inflation in the food sector (Stats NZ – Food Price Index). Seasonal factors, such as dry summers affecting pasture, add further volatility.

What is the most consumed meat in NZ?

Chicken holds the top spot. New Zealanders eat about 40 kg of chicken per person annually, well ahead of beef and lamb (Beef + Lamb NZ industry data). This is partly because chicken remains the cheapest animal protein, and partly because it suits modern cooking habits.

The pattern: rising beef prices are steering shoppers toward chicken, a shift Mad Butcher’s specials already reflect.

What is the best cut of steak in NZ?

Most butchers and chefs agree: ribeye is the gold standard for flavour and tenderness because of its high marbling. It’s the cut you want when cooking a special dinner. Eye fillet is even more tender but less flavourful; T‑bone and sirloin offer a middle ground.

Is sirloin or ribeye better?

• Ribeye – richer, juicier, ideal for pan‑searing or grilling.
• Sirloin – leaner, slightly firmer, works well for steaks or stir‑fry.

It’s a matter of preference: ribeye for indulgence, sirloin for everyday eating.

What do Aussies call ribeye?

In Australia, the same cut is often called “scotch fillet” or simply “rib eye”. New Zealand butchers mostly use the term ribeye, but you may see “scotch fillet” in some stores. The meat is identical – a slice from the rib primal with the cap of fat left on.

Four steak cuts, one trade‑off: tenderness vs. flavour. Ribeye wins on both, but sirloin gives you a cheaper ticket to a good meal.

The takeaway: matching the cut to the cooking method is the smart way to buy steak.

Weekly specials comparison: what’s on offer

A look at the current deals shows the biggest savings are on chicken – a deliberate move to keep protein affordable.

Prices sourced from Mad Butcher Lower Hutt weekly specials page and store shop page. The discount on chicken breasts is the standout: for a family, buying two kg saves $16.

Timeline: what’s known about the Lower Hutt store

The timeline below pieces together available information. Because the relocation claim comes from an unverified Facebook post, it sits in the “unconfirmed” column.

• Before 2024: Mad Butcher Lower Hutt operates at 91 High Street. Listed on Yellow, Kompass, and White Pages.
• Mid‑2024 (rumoured): A post on the store’s Facebook page announces a move to 31 Knights Rd. Official website not updated.
• Current: Website still shows 91 High St. Click & Collect service continues; home delivery remains unadvertised for this store.

No further official statements have been made. Until the Mad Butcher site changes, the address is 91 High Street.

Clarity check: what we know vs what remains unclear

Until the Mad Butcher website updates, shoppers should verify the address with a phone call.

What butchers and data say

“Click & Collect is available Monday to Saturday, with pickup after 12pm.”

— Mad Butcher Lower Hutt store page (Lower Hutt store page)

“Chicken remains the most consumed meat in New Zealand, with average per capita consumption around 40 kg per year.”

— Stats NZ, as reported by Statistics New Zealand

“Blade steak is the classic ‘poor man’s steak’ – full of flavour but needs slow cooking.”

— Beef + Lamb New Zealand (cut guide)

The data confirms that chicken remains the most affordable protein and blade steak the budget red meat choice.

Summary: smart shopping at Mad Butcher Lower Hutt

Despite the relocation rumour, the store is still reliably at 91 High Street with daily specials that make chicken and pork shoulder chops genuine bargains. For shoppers in Lower Hutt, the choice is clear: check the online specials before you go, call ahead to confirm hours if it’s a public holiday, and treat blade steak as your budget‑friendly red meat option – it’s the same flavour as ribeye, just with a longer cooking time.

Frequently asked questions