Mad Butcher Mt Roskill: Owner, Quality, Online Ordering & More

Anyone who’s searched for a good butcher in Auckland’s suburbs has probably come across the Mad Butcher. The Mt Roskill store at 22 Stoddard Road has built a loyal following, but online chatter about ownership, meat quality, and closure rumors makes it hard to know what’s true. Founded by Sir Peter Leitch in 1971, the brand is a New Zealand staple, yet the Mt Roskill location has barely any fact-checked resources available. This guide pulls together verified details from official pages, news reports, and community sources to separate fact from fiction.

Founded: 1971 ·
Founder: Sir Peter Leitch ·
Facebook followers (Mt Roskill): 3,833 ·
Pickup time (Mt Roskill): After 12pm daily

Five facts that define the Mad Butcher Mt Roskill story, one pattern: the brand’s long history and recent ownership changes matter more to its current operation than most customers realise.

Who owns Mad Butcher Ferry Road?

The short answer is that specific franchise ownership details for the Ferry Road location aren’t publicly listed. What is known is that the Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) entry confirms Sir Peter Leitch — widely known as “The Mad Butcher” — founded the brand and opened his first butchery in Rosella Road, Māngere East in 1971. Today, individual store ownership often varies by franchise agreement.

What was the Mad Butcher’s real name?

• His full name is Sir Peter Leitch (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
• He was knighted in 2003 for services to the meat industry and community
• The “Mad Butcher” nickname was part of his marketing identity from the start

The implication: the man and the brand are so closely tied that customers still assume Sir Peter owns every store, even after the business changed hands twice in the last decade.

Where does Sir Peter Leitch live?

Sir Peter Leitch resides in Auckland, New Zealand. Public records and media profiles, including an NZ Herald (New Zealand’s largest daily newspaper) feature, place him in the Auckland region. His personal residential address is not a matter of public business record, which is consistent with privacy norms for a retired founder.

Is Mad Butcher meat legit?

Yes — the Mt Roskill store operates under a nationally recognised brand with a verifiable track record. The official Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill About Us page states the brand has “provided meat for millions of Kiwi BBQs, roasts, and other meals.” Meat sourced from New Zealand farms, as the store confirms on its website.

Is mad butcher meat grass-fed?

• Grass-fed options are available, but not all meat is grass-fed (Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill)
• The brand’s FAQ addresses meat quality and sourcing directly
• Customers can ask in-store about specific cuts and their origin

What this means: the “grass-fed” claim applies to some products, not the entire lineup. A buyer who wants 100% grass-fed should confirm with the counter staff rather than assuming the whole store is pasture-raised.

What should I ask my butcher?

The Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill official store page suggests asking about cut recommendations, cooking tips, and sourcing origin for specific meat types. The brand’s long-running reputation — built since 1971 — gives it a credibility baseline that newer chains lack.

Does Mad Butcher Mt Roskill sell online?

Yes — the Mt Roskill store supports online ordering through the brand’s website. The Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill store page confirms Click & Collect is available Monday to Sunday with pickup after 12pm. Delivery may incur a fee, and no deliveries are made on public holidays. Orders are placed via madbutcher.co.nz/mt-roskill.

• Click & Collect: daily after 12pm
• Delivery: available with a fee (Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill)
• Public holidays: no deliveries

The trade-off: online convenience comes with limited delivery windows, so shoppers who want same-day pickup should order early.

Is Mad Butcher Ferry Road closing down?

The status of the Ferry Road location is uncertain. Publicly available information does not confirm a permanent closure, but the Christchurch Mad Butcher — a separate franchise — did shut after 15 years of operation, as reported by Stuff (New Zealand news organisation). The Mt Roskill store, by contrast, continues to post regular updates on its Mad Butcher Mt Roskill (community Facebook page) and remains operational.

Christchurch Mad Butcher closes down after 15 years

• The Christchurch store closed in the 2023/2024 period after 15 years trading
• Stuff (New Zealand news organisation) also reported a Whangārei franchise closed in January 2019 after its owner lost tens of thousands
• Franchise closures happen independently of the brand’s overall health

The pattern: individual franchise closures have occurred in Christchurch and Whangārei, but the Mt Roskill store shows no signs of shutting. Its active social media presence and daily operating hours contradict the closure rumors.

What’s the best meat company to order from?

For Auckland shoppers, Mad Butcher Mt Roskill is a strong contender on price and convenience, but “best” depends on what you prioritise. The brand competes with local butchers, supermarket meat counters, and subscription services. A Bon Appetit (US food publication) list of top meat subscription boxes is US-focused, but it highlights that online meat ordering is a growing category — a space the Mad Butcher already occupies with its click-and-collect model.

• Mad Butcher strengths: NZ-sourced, long-standing brand, online ordering
• Considerations: not all meat grass-fed, franchise model means inconsistent service
• Alternatives: local independent butchers, specialty online meat sellers

The catch: no single online review or comparison site currently consolidates New Zealand meat retailers in one place, so shoppers rely on word-of-mouth and brand reputation.

Timeline

Three dates capture the arc of the Mad Butcher story — from founder-led start to corporate acquisition to family buyback.

• 1971: Mad Butcher founded by Peter Leitch (Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill About Us)
• May 2013: Veritas Investments acquired Mad Butcher for $40 million (The Spinoff (New Zealand news and culture outlet))
• 2018: Michael Morton and Julie Leitch repurchased the business for $8 million, minus $700,000 owed by five stores (The Spinoff (New Zealand news and culture outlet))
• 2023/2024: Christchurch Mad Butcher closes after 15 years
• Present: Mt Roskill store continues daily operation

Why this matters: the ownership swings explain why some customers are confused about who runs what. The brand has been owned by three different entities in 15 years — that level of change rarely leaves operations untouched.

Quotes from the community and brand

The Mad Butcher brand has generated strong opinions over five decades. Here are perspectives from the brand itself, its community, and industry observers.

“Mad Butcher was founded in 1971 by Sir Peter Leitch.”

— Mad Butcher Mt. Roskill About Us page

“Mt Roskill’s favourite butcher.”

— Mad Butcher Mt Roskill Facebook page

“Michael Morton wants to make Mad Butcher great again.”

— Stuff (New Zealand news organisation), 2019

“The more you know — the Mad Butcher doesn’t own the Mad Butcher.”

— The Spinoff, 2018

The thread running through these quotes: the brand has a deep emotional connection with Kiwis, but its ownership complexity means the public narrative often lags behind the business reality.

Summary

The Mad Butcher Mt Roskill store is open, trading daily, and offers online ordering — but the brand behind it has been through a corporate wringer that most customers don’t see. Founded by Sir Peter Leitch in 1971, sold to Veritas for $40 million in 2013, and bought back for $8 million in 2018, the chain has shrunk from over 40 stores to roughly 26. For the Auckland shopper wondering whether to trust the Mad Butcher name, the choice is clear: the meat is NZ-sourced, the brand is legitimate, and the Mt Roskill store is active — just don’t assume every franchise is the same, and always ask about grass-fed if that matters to you.

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