Dad and daughter team take on meaty venture
Renee Hedley is not your typical butcher – first of all she is a female.
But the young, pretty blonde has no qualms putting on an apron and getting her hands dirty with bloody cuts of meat.
It is anyone’s industry, according to the 23-year-old.
Renee has certainly adopted it as her own, having completed a threeyear apprenticeship by the time she was 19.
The talented butcher is now running Putaruru’s Moos Baas and Oinks alongside her father, Ed, who purchased the famous little store three weeks ago.
Renee said the only way her parents would let her leave home was if she got an apprenticeship.
‘‘I wanted to prove a point – a girl can make it in a man’s industry.’’
Renee was one of only two females to complete the 30-student course.
The family used to farm at Atiamuri and have returned to the South Waikato to make a go of the new venture.
Ed, who has been in the industry for as long as he has owned the business, said it must be quite amusing for customers who walk through the door to see him behind the counter and Renee sharpening the knives.
‘‘She does everything – she does all the butcher work and I just do a bit of prep work.’’
The pair had never worked together before and they were still trying to work out who was in charge, Ed said.
The goal was to expand the business, he said.
‘‘Then Renee can employ someone rather than me.’’