Our Story

Our Story

We’re Sven and Bettina – the husband-and-wife team behind Meat Matas.

Sven is a qualified butcher from Switzerland who knew from a young age exactly what he wanted to be. He started his apprenticeship straight out of school at 15 and has been working with meat, sausages, and deli ever since. While he loves everything about the craft of butchery, his true passion lies in traditional salami making – the old-school way, with time, care, and respect for the process.

Bettina was born and raised right here in Matamata, with Swiss roots running deep through her family. In 2020, while working as a nurse in Switzerland, she met Sven – and the rest is history.

During the COVID years, the idea of giving life in New Zealand a go began to grow. Sven had never been before, but in January 2023, they packed their bags and landed in Auckland. They headed straight into work – Sven in a smallgoods factory in Levin, where he picked up some valuable Kiwi cuts and techniques, and Bettina in a GP clinic in Paraparaumu.

Before long, they spotted an ad for a butchery for sale in Matamata – Bettina’s hometown. They met Owen and Janet, the previous owners, and everything just clicked. On October 1st, they officially took over the shop and turned a long-time dream into reality.

Their first year has been a whirlwind – full of learning, laughter, long hours, and huge rewards. The incredible Matamata community welcomed them with open arms, and thanks to that support (and a lot of passion), they’ve had a strong first year in business.

The highlight of all? Welcoming their first son, Samuel – Sven is already dreaming of teaching him the craft one day!

Another proud moment was winning a Silver Medal at the 2024 Great New Zealand Sausage Competition for their Pure Beef Sausage – a big achievement in their very first year.

Looking ahead, Sven, Bettina, and their amazing team are committed to providing Matamata and the surrounding areas with the finest cuts of meat, handcrafted sausages, and top-quality smallgoods – all made with pride, passion, and a whole lot of heart.