Aalt Verkerk.
At 84, Aalt can still be found in the factory checking the quality of the whole carcasses coming in, or in the back of the shop in Armagh St, cutting up steaks for his treasured customers. Having a hands on role is a way of life to this Dutch immigrant who arrived in New Zealand in 1952.

When Aalt Verkerk and his wife Johanna arrived here in 1952, from Holland, he had a vision to set up business in this quiet and unspoilt land. Trained as a butcher, it didn't take him long to realize that there was a lack of fine continental style meats on the market. In 1956, he open Verkerks butchery and delicatessen and began to build a reputation for the best salamis and cuts of fresh meat in Christchurch.

The demand for these meats has seen huge expansion to where we are today with a modern plant producing vacuum packed sliced meats for the supermarket industry.

You can see the pride Aalt Verkerk has when he is in his Armagh St retail shop. The shop has had a few transformations during the decades, and today his personality still shines through. He is a credit to the meat retailing industry. For him, it is simple. Produce top quality meat and give the customer what they want.

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