When Waikato farmer Henry Reynolds decided to open a butter factory at Pukekura he hired the best butter-maker, bought the latest machinery and supplied himself with the finest milk. The only thing missing was a good brand and, as the story goes, Reynolds chose a tattoo on the arm of one of his workers to be his logo. And so Anchor butter was born and is now one of the most famous brands in the food world and an important contributor to New Zealand's $11 billion dairy export trade.
When he started the brand now the pride of Fonterra, Reynolds rated only a passing mention in the paper but with hindsight he is our New Zealander of the Year for 1886.
From the Herald archives:
Reynolds changes his mind from cheese to butter, New Zealand Herald, 6 August 1886
Reynolds hires top buttermaker, New Zealand Herald, 9 September 1886
Reynold's new butter factory opens, New Zealand Herald, 8 November 1886
