Let butchers open during the lockdown

Comments

#1

I don't think supermarkets should have a monopoly on selling meat. Independant NZ bussinesses need to be supported.

(Christchurch, 2020-03-27)

#7

More essential than any dairy.
Much safer to pick up your meat from a butcher than have to go to the supermarket. We have our own veges eggs etc hardly need to go to supermarket.

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#9

I use a butcher for home kill and buying from the shop too. Nether by meats in Ashburton. We need to keep our butchers going. We need bulk meats or one off buys but we need them in our lockdown period. Please re think this and let our butchers work and feed us during this time. They are extremely important!!!

(Rakaia, 2020-03-27)

#10

It should be common sense that a butcher is a high priority essential need.

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#11

I'm signing because I think it's unfair the government changed the goal posts . We all need the best of food especially now. Good quality red meat to keep us healthy.

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#12

Meat is an essential item. Let’s take the pressure off the supermarkets.

(Hamilton, 2020-03-27)

#13

Butchers have far better meat than the supermarkets

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#14

This is an essential part for all people,
Food

(Auckland, 2020-03-27)

#15

It's an essential business

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#19

It's insane to waste so much product, it makes more sense to have more shops selling food open so there are fewer people in each shop, and the messaging prior to lockdown was very unclear.

(Whangarei, 2020-03-27)

#21

Butchers and greengrocers are essential activities. Obviously.

(Kapiti, 2020-03-27)

#26

The govt has not thought the lockdown through and for many the butcher is a genuine essential service.

(Christchurch, 2020-03-27)

#29

Absolutely nuts not to have butchers and greengrocers open.

(Auckland, 2020-03-27)

#33

The supermarkets cannot cope, there are long queues outside , delivery of groceries is very difficult to book. Farmers need to be able to move stock off the farm because of diminishing food supplies with winter approaching. What is the difference between a supermarket selling meat and a butcher selling meat ?. Why help the large supermarket chains whilst putting the local butcher out of business.

(Wellington, 2020-03-27)

#34

I'm signing because butchers are essential food suppliers.

(Auckland, 2020-03-27)

#38

Butchers are an essential service!

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#39

Jacinda has no idea and we need as many genuine food stores to be open. Further, to waste meat like this is criminal.

(Auckland, 2020-03-27)

#44

Butchery, vege and fruit shops provides essential food supplies as well as providing employement to the local coomunities and families. These provides food items that cannot and are not provided by supermarkets in terms of choice and quality. It does not make sense not to consider them as essential. Please reconsider. Thanks

(auckland, 2020-03-27)

#47

We use the butcher andist people prefer to eat good meat

(Wellsford, 2020-03-27)

#50

We use this Butcher all the time

(Ashburton, 2020-03-27)

#51

We have large family, mad butcher provides us with more affordable meat than supermarket.

(Nelson, 2020-03-27)

#53

I don't want all this good protein going to waste! We are not all vegetarians, after all. Lets make NZ self sufficient :)

(Auckland, 2020-03-27)

#54

It just makes sense.

(Christchurch, 2020-03-28)

#58

Fairness, diversity of product, stopping duopoly pricing, employment for small businesses

(Christchurch, 2020-03-28)

#63

It is ludicrous that a primary product like meat cannot be made available from your local butcher rather than going through the rigmarole of shopping at a large supermarket. If hygiene levels are maintained and customer separation is followed it should not be a problem. I do not wish to go to my local dairy 2 doors away for items such as sweets and cigarettes which are clearly deemed more essential than the butcher.

(Auckland, 2020-03-28)

#69

They are being very unfairly treated, and because the supermarket duopoly are being handed a total monopoly which they are abusing

(Auckland, 2020-03-28)

#72

It's outrageous that butchers aren't open

(Titirangi, 2020-03-28)

#73

Butchers are essential!

(Ashburton, 2020-03-28)

#77

I like the local butcher. Service quality and value .

(Ashburton, 2020-03-28)

#78

Alcohol producers can be open yet they close butchers is a joke.
Meat is a lot more essential for a balanced diet than alcohol

(Ashburton, 2020-03-28)

#79

We need them and they need us.

(Auckland, 2020-03-29)

#82

They are a legitimate fresh food supplier.

(Auckland, 2020-03-29)

#84

I buy my meat from the local butcher and feel small business like butchers are an essential business.

(Christchurch, 2020-03-29)

#85

Butcher meat is better and not wrapped in plastic

(Ashburton, 2020-03-29)

#86

Surely these products are handled by less people than a supermarket chain.

(Auckland, 2020-03-29)

#87

Of course butchers should be open!!! Under strict conditions of course.

(Christchurch, 2020-03-29)

#94

Our political leaders are idiots. How can they justify tobacco companies operating because they “supply supermarkets” but the local green grocer, butcher and bakery have to stay shut!!?

(Dunedin, 2020-03-30)

#96

Netherby butchery is the best in Ashburton

(Ashburton, 2020-03-30)

#97

This is of National importance. Millions of dollars of meat will be dumped otherwise as our people go hungry!!!

(Te Kauwhata, 2020-04-01)

#98

Our people need access to good fresh meat / protein especially bones for their bone broth. The supermarkets are charging $6+ for 4 mutton bones and ripping people off.

(Ashburton, 2020-04-01)

#100

Because supermarkets have enough of a monopoly on everything as It is.

(Christchurch, 2020-04-02)

#101

they should be a part of the essential services

(Christchurch, 2020-04-02)

#103

Butchers are small essential businesses and as such can control staff protective wear and behaviour - wasting food is ridiculous

(Cambridge, 2020-04-03)

#104

I'm signing because the butchers are my go to for anything meat related and at half the price of supermarkets. We are on a tight budget and cannot afford what we need just from the supermarkets alone.

(Rakaia, 2020-04-03)

#106

It is absolutely appalling that I am not able to buy meat from butcher as I have been for years now. Instead I am forced to go further into town and shop for meat in an already over populated supermarket where I feel I am further at risk of catching the virus and meat at the supermarket is not of the same good quality as it is at my local butchers

(Rotorua, 2020-04-04)

#107

Butchers are an essential food source! Would also reduce number of people accessing already over-crowded supermarkets! Why should supermarkets have monopoly of all foodstuffs (while butchers etc. are much less financial and vulnerable)! In TAUMARUNUI we only have ONE supermarket, so it would be very helpful if our ONE butcher was available for service.

(Taumarunui, 2020-04-04)

#108

I think this service is essential

(Whakatane, 2020-04-04)

#109

Look after small business & communities and less risk than going to the supermarket.

(Perth, 2020-04-08)

#111

We need fresh meat and also there are not many supermarkets in small towns.

(Otaki, 2020-04-08)

#118

Our butcher is absolutely essential. We are in a small community and the butcher is essential nothing else to it.

(Katikati, 2020-04-18)

#119

The Government need to stop with their agenda to bring down the neat industry.

(Christchurch, 2020-04-25)

#122

I’m signing because it is unfair to allow dairies to open but not butcheries.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#123

If a dairy can open, then surely a butcher can operate too.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#124

I’m signing because it makes complete sense that butchers and green grocers can supply food/goods during lockdown and in fact I would prefer to visit smaller establishments than large supermarkets.

(Hastings, 2021-08-23)

#126

It seems like double standards that dairy's and produce shops can open when butchers can't. I can't see why they cant have the 1 in rule like dairy's.

(wanganui, 2021-08-23)

#127

I support Reuben Sharples and believe his butcher should be open

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#130

I felt safer going to my local butcher to pick up meat than going to the four square where there was no social distancing. We need to support our small businesses in this time not give a monopoly to the supermarkets (which are also bigger spreaders !!!!) let people socially distance outside and pick up thier order at the door. It is literally so much safer…

(Lower hutt, 2021-08-23)

#131

The Government's decision, or lack of one is plainly stupid. Same goes for green grocers and bakeries. There is no logic

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#132

I’m signing because there is no difference between these stores and a dairy. This gives an unfair advantage to the large, monopolistic supermarket chains.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#135

There is no difference between supermarkets selling meat and vege or a butcher and greengrocer. Someone in Govt needs to be fired.

(Franklin, 2021-08-23)

#136

Butchers should be open. The excuse that it increases covid exposure is complete bullshit. I don't shop at gricery shops - now I have to line up with hundreds of others, when I could be pickibg up direct from the butcher with zero contact. This is deliberate economiy trashing and lives trashing.

(Hastings, 2021-08-23)

#140

Butchers have every right to be open if a dairy can be open. And this means less crowding and waiting at the supermarkets.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#141

if suppermarkets can selll over priced meat, butchers should be allowed to be open

(New Plymouth, 2021-08-23)

#142

There's no meat for people to buy, these super markets cant keep up with demand and butchers should be essential.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#143

Butchers should also be able to sell essential supplies safely and ease the burden on supermarkets

(Wellington, 2021-08-23)

#145

The Govt. is increasing our Covid transmission risk, reducing market competition and increasing costs upon our communities by forcing large numbers into supermarkets and not permitting butchers and other small food providers to be open - they could easily be permitted under the same ruleset as dairies.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#147

I'm signing because this decision makes absolutely zero sense. This Govt is proving itself to be inept, callous, and opposed to listening to the needs of the public and their livelihoods.

(Auckland, 2021-08-23)

#148

Butchers need to be open during L 4 lockdown to take pressure off supermarkets.

(Whangarei, 2021-08-23)

#151

Butcher's should be open during lockdown as they are an essential service

(MELVILLE, HAMILTON, 2021-08-24)

#153

Supermarkets are overwhelmed at the moment with stock issues and staff shortages. Butchers can provide a safe environment to shop in, just as green grocers can. Butchers are an essential business.

(Auckland, 2021-08-24)

#155

I find it ridiculous as an essential worker that I cannot find meat in the supermarket as it’s all gone by the time I finish work and butchers who have plenty are unable to open

(Auckland, 2021-08-24)

#156

Let the butchers and green grocers open.
They provide essential services.
They're also small businesses providing fresh foodstuffs.

(Christchurch, 2021-08-24)

#163

We are running out of meat and supermarkets are close due to covid

(Auckland, 2021-08-24)

#165

I love butcher meat more than supermarkets

(Auckland, 2021-08-24)

#167

Ridiculous they can’t open!!

(Auckland, 2021-08-25)

#168

I can't believe the ignorance of the government to have butcher shops and greengrocers who are largely small businesses closed while supermarkets and pharmacies - owned by multinational companies are allowed to stay open and trade during Alert Level 4. Appalling!!!!

(Auckland, 2021-08-25)

#172

I'm signing because the current restrictions are arbitrary, based on irrelevant criteria, and favour supermarkets over small business.

(Auckland, 2021-08-26)

#173

I'm signing because I usually buy most of our meat from our local Butcher because it sells NZ meat, is fresher and cheaper.
I don't understand why they can't be operate during level 4 lockdown like supermarkets.
1. It's a small & well set up for Covid precautions:
- screens on counter & big space between meat cabinets of customers & staff.
- All meat, chicken etc displayed within closed cabinets
- No handling of meat by customers
No packaging other than a small plastic bag
- Space markings on floor
- Only 1-3 customers at once usually, easily one in lockdown.
- Staff so efficient & quick. I'm often only in shop for 1-2mins min. I know this as my QR code scan often says zero when I exit.
- I feel safe

Supermarkets
1. Not so safe in supermarkets where there are many customers & staff.
2. Everyone is handling products. 3. Low supply of meat products often in lockdown
3. Meat more expensive.
2. How are people on low wages, benefits able to buy quality meat or veges during lockdown?

I would appreciate the Govt looking into this disparity between butchers & supermarkets. It's such a waste of NZ meat especially with a rapid lockdown. I prefer to buy local and support NZ made products. If a Butcher can open safely in lockdown with all precautions, it should be allowed. My local Butcher operates at this level all the time whether in lockdown or not.
I look forward to hearing progress of some action & consideration in this matter.
Many Thanks.
Ruth Bell

(Hamilton, 2021-08-26)

#174

Its makes sense that local butchers should be open. To take pressure(& profit) away from supermarkets.
Butchers must be one of the cleanest shops we could go in.
Please give a reason why they have been singled out???
Help us to support local

(Auckland, 2021-08-26)

#175

Butchers & green grocers should have equal oportunity as super markets.

(Palmerston north, 2021-08-26)

#177

Because we do most out meat shopping from butchers as we are a family of 6 and find the prices and quantity of meat better at the butcher.

(Auckland, 2021-08-27)

#178

Thus would help protect the smaller businesses and stop the increasing prices of the supermarkets

(European/Pākehā, 2021-08-27)

#180

There should be more choice other than the supermarkets.

(Auckland, 2021-08-27)

#182

They should be able to open

(Christchurch, 2021-08-27)

#184

Butchers are considered an essential worker under the essential workers act and not allowing independent butchers to open their doors under level 4 is discrimination. Only allowing some essential workers to open their doors and not others is discriminatory. The wage subsidy and resurgence support doesn’t even come close to paying all the bills and doing online contactless delivery does bring in enough revenue to cover costs.

(Auckland, 2021-08-28)

#185

It is wrong
Much safer than a supermarket
Keeps small business alive

(Warkworth, 2021-08-28)

#186

I believe that butchers need to be open, they are selling food.

(Pukekohe, 2021-08-30)

#187

It is important to have meat, and fair trade whilst in Lockdown levels

(Auckland, 2021-08-31)

#189

This is so unfair, and disappointing, these companies are the lifeblood of the community. The government is backing corporate supermarket greed and advocating unfair business practices that could be considered as anti competitive behavior. (commerce commission)

(Titirangi, Auckland, 2021-09-05)

#191

It defies commonsense that ppl can buy all sorts of rubbish food from dairies but cannot buy high quality, healthy meat and fruit/vegetables from butchers and greengrocers.

(Tutukaka, 2021-09-06)

#193

We are all essential workers.

(Invercargill, 2021-09-07)

#194

I think it makes no sense to shut our local meat and produce guys down if they are able to trade safely, they suffer huge losses each time and it has a wasteful impact both financially and on the environment. For the first week of level 4 the meat shelves at our supermarket were empty, and our local butcher is having to dump there meat it just makes no sense at all!

(Auckland, 2021-09-09)

#195

There is less danger in click and collect outside a store than letting people inside a dairy or supermarket - especially for the Delta variant.

(Auckland, 2021-09-09)

#197

They provide essential products and I have photos to prove that the supermarkets can't cope with the demand. If dairies can open there is no reason why butcher's shouldn't as they are probably cleaner and safer.

(Hamilton, 2021-09-09)

#198

you are killing these small businesses Click and collect can be done safely it's no different to a supermarket but much much safer

(Warkworth, 2021-09-09)

#199

It’s ridiculous that they aren’t able to provide an essential service

(Auckland, 2021-09-10)