Our Story

Homegrown Butchery has grown from a simple idea into one of the Wairarapa’s best-known independent butcheries.

The business began in 2017 when Dion and Ali Kilmister launched Homegrown Farm Fresh Meats. Coming from very different backgrounds—Dion with many years of sheep and beef farming experience, and Ali with a management background—they shared a vision of connecting people with high-quality, locally raised meat. Rather than seeing their livestock processed solely for the export market, they wanted to offer New Zealand families the opportunity to enjoy the same premium meat that they enjoyed themselves.

Starting with farm-fresh meat boxes delivered directly to customers, Homegrown quickly earned a loyal following. Their commitment to quality, traceability and traditional butchery helped establish a reputation that extended well beyond the Wairarapa.

In 2019, the business took its next major step by purchasing the former Joe’s Meat Market in Masterton. Following an extensive renovation and rebrand, Homegrown Butcher, Deli & Pantry was created—a modern butcher shop built on traditional values, offering premium meat, handcrafted smallgoods, deli products and personalised customer service.

Over the years, Homegrown has received recognition for the quality of its products and the standards it upholds. The business has built a reputation for premium meat, award-winning products and exceptional service, while also gaining national exposure through its appearance on Country Calendar, showcasing the journey from the farm through to the customer. Those achievements helped establish Homegrown as a trusted name within the local community and across New Zealand.

In early 2024, ownership of Homegrown Butchery passed to Jake Wiffen, who had already been part of the business for many years. Jake first began working in the building in 2012 at the Export Meat Warehouse before continuing with Joe’s Meat Market. When Dion and Ali established Homegrown, he remained with the business, spending the next five years working alongside them and gaining experience across every aspect of the operation before taking over ownership.

Today, while ownership has changed, the values that Homegrown was founded on remain the same. Together with an experienced and dedicated team, the focus continues to be on supplying premium-quality meat, handcrafted smallgoods, Homekill processing and outstanding customer service to families, businesses and wholesale customers throughout the Wairarapa.

Homegrown is proud of its past, grateful for the support of its loyal customers, and excited about the future. As the business continues to evolve, the commitment remains unchanged: providing quality products, honest advice and the kind of personal service that only a locally owned butcher can offer.