Butchers say the lockdown restrictions have them operating at a loss, and there are increasing fears a prolonged lockdown will put some out of business.
Under alert level 4 rules, butchers, greengrocers and other retailers are only allowed to do contactless delivery.
Butchers have told RNZ they're working 15 hour days to meet massive demand and the added complications of operating under lockdown means they are only staying open out of customer loyalty.
Aussie Butcher New Lynn owner Reuben Sharples, and Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford spoke to Corin Dann.