Pestell’s Rai Bacon Company is a proud family-owned Nelson business run by third-generation butchers, Christopher and Stephen Pestell. Our butchery roots stretch back decades, beginning with a small but successful retail shop where craftsmanship, quality, and a friendly smile were at the heart of everything we did. Over the years, we earned a loyal following for our perfectly prepared cuts, traditional recipes, and commitment to fair prices. In 2001, we took the next big step - establishing Pestell’s Rai Bacon Company with a vision to craft premium-quality bacon and ham that Kiwi families could enjoy every day, from breakfast tables to festive celebrations. Our purpose-built factory in Stoke was designed from the ground up to meet growing demand as we expanded from local retail into nationwide wholesale supply. Today, our products can be found in supermarkets, specialty stores, and foodservice outlets across the country, yet we remain true to the small-batch care and personal touch that started it all.
At Pestell’s, we believe great food takes time, care, and a dedication to doing things the right way. Our curing process is slow and deliberate, allowing natural flavours to develop fully. Every step - curing, smoking over fragrant Manuka wood, slicing, and hand-packing - is overseen by skilled butchers who treat each piece as if it were for their own family table. Over the years, we’ve introduced customer-inspired innovations such as preservative-free bacon for those seeking a cleaner option, as well as a range that includes dry-cured middle, streaky, and shoulder bacon alongside our famous Manuka-smoked hams. Our signature Bee’s Knees hams, with their tender texture and rich, smoky aroma, have become a Kiwi Christmas tradition, taking pride of place on dining tables around the country. Whether it’s for a special occasion or an everyday meal, our goal is always to deliver consistent quality, unbeatable flavour, and exceptional value in every pack.
Looking toward the future, our mission is to protect the heritage of traditional butchery while embracing innovation that meets the needs of modern customers. We are committed to sustainability - working to reduce waste in our production process, exploring eco-friendly packaging, and building strong relationships with trusted New Zealand farmers who share our values of quality and care. By sourcing locally, we not only ensure the freshest, highest-quality pork but also support the livelihoods of those within our own communities. We see every purchase as an act of trust, and we work hard to honour that trust through transparency, responsibility, and a relentless focus on excellence. Whether you’ve been enjoying our bacon and ham for decades or are discovering us for the first time, our promise is simple: we will continue to craft every product with pride, passion, and the same dedication to taste and tradition that has defined Pestell’s for generations.
