Having earlier won the South Island regional event, Mr Henry won the apprentice section in a high-pressure national Young Butcher of the Year competition in Auckland on Thursday.
His win was based on his performance in a morning examination, a later 15-minute interview session with two judges, and two hours of intense butchery and presentation work.
Two years ago, Mr Henry, who has completed most of the required work for a BSc in chemistry at the University of Otago, decided to swap his textbooks for a butcher’s apron and became a butcher’s apprentice at New World Centre City.
He has since fought his way to the finals of the butcher’s apprentice section three times and, having been runner-up last year, won the section this year.
"Everything just seemed to fall into place for me on competition day. I’ve been practising a lot but I think the drive to win just really kicked into gear.
"It’s incredibly humbling and I’m so grateful that I’ve chosen a career I not only enjoy, but I’m good at. It’s an amazing feeling," he said.
His win provided a great deal of encouragement, but his participation in the competition had also been positive in giving him "a way of learning and focusing my trade".
"I learn a lot that I can apply to my daily work," he added.
Amy Jones, of Taumarunui, won the 2016 Young Butcher award at the same grand final event in Auckland.
The longest-running retail meat industry competition of its kind in New Zealand, it is designed to recognise and encourage excellence in the butchery trade.
And, thanks to his runner-up placing last year, early next month Mr Henry will compete in the best display section of the World Butcher’s Challenge on the Gold Coast, near Brisbane, Australia, preceded by a study tour.
And after his latest success this week, he will take part in another World Butcher’s Challenge event in Europe next year.
