Pestell’s Rai Bacon Company is a family owned, Nelson business run by third generation butchers, Christopher and Stephen Pestell.

After twenty years operating a successful retail butchery, we established Pestell’s Rai Bacon Company in 2001. “We knew we had a great product, where we could offer customers a premium quality at prices that families could afford,” says Christopher.

Our factory in Stoke was purpose-built to allow our company to meet increased demand for our bacon products once we began wholesaling to supermarkets around New Zealand.

By sticking to what we do well, never compromising the time involved in traditional curing and focusing on maintaining affordability, Pestell’s Rai Bacon Company has enjoyed a steady rise in market share as more and more customers are becoming loyal Pestell’s brand buyers. As hands on owners, Christopher and Stephen are always listening to their customers and when viable, products are introduced to meet new needs. Our preservative-free bacon is a great example of a recent addition which resulted from customers’ requests.

The Pestell’s traditional curing process takes time and requires a team effort to ensure that every step in the curing, smoking and packing of our bacon products is done with great care and attention.

Today you can find Pestell’s Bacon products in supermarkets (butchery and deli departments) all around the South Island and selected North Island stockists as well. Many cafes, restaurants and hotels order Pestell’s products because of the excellent quality and great value.

On Christmas Day, families all around New Zealand sit down to a festive feast with our succulent range of Bee's Knees hams as the centrepiece of their table.