Story: Overseas trade policy
New Zealand developed new export destinations in the Middle East in the late 1970s. This led to changing practices, such as Muslim halal butchers processing lambs at a New Zealand freezing works. Sheep slaughtered for Islamic countries must be killed with their necks and stomachs facing the holy city of Mecca. The arrow painted on the floor at the first butcher’s feet points in the direction of Mecca.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)
Reference: EP/1988/1018/31
by John Nicholson
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
How to cite this page
Chris Nixon and John Yeabsley, Overseas trade policy – Difficult times – the 1970s and early 1980s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/21988/halal-slaughter (accessed 27 October 2025).
Story by Chris Nixon and John Yeabsley, published 12 April 2010.