The Mad Butcher on Victoria Avenue in Whanganui is a branch of the national chain founded in 1971 by Sir Peter Leitch. Meat is cut and packed on site, and the in-store master butchers will cut to any requirement and give advice on cooking and carving. Beef and lamb carry the NZ Quality Mark, the pork is New Zealand grown, and the chicken is Tegel. The range covers fresh cuts, frozen meat, bags of vegetables, pre-cooked BBQ sausages and pork rib tips. Current specials include boneless skinless chicken breast fillets at $9.99 a kilo as at 2026. The shop is open seven days, with pick up after 12 pm. Delivery runs Monday to Friday to select Whanganui suburbs for a fee. Daily order limits mean that when a day is full, orders move to the next one.
Customers mention the sausages most, and one buyer said the bacon, cheese and tomato ones were the best they had ever had. Variety of choice, value for money and friendly staff come up often, and another reviewer said the bargains are sometimes very good. Frozen meat and bags of vegetables also get praise for quality and price. The store offers a full refund or replacement on any product with a receipt. Nearby, Dublin Street butcher, 0.7 km away, is the only other butcher within a kilometre, and it has a higher rating from 13 reviews. Our pick in Whanganui for sausages and everyday cuts.