The Nugget: Dave Rossitier

Dave Rossitier loves Christmas. Sure nothing beats the look on his family’s faces as they open their presents, but mostly he loves this time of year as it means sales of steak, bangers and especially hams, skyrocket.

Dave owns the famous Westmere Butchery in the popular Auckland suburb, and has done for 18 silly seasons so far.

Five days a week he gets up at 3am and heads into work ‘cos he “likes the peace and quiet at that time”.

That’s about the only time it is quiet, with daily queues forming out the door of people from all over the city from sun up to sun down, which means Dave gives Santa a run as the busiest man round Christmas.

The secret to his success he reckons is “passion in what you do delivered with a smile”, and “never, ever take shortcuts”. Well why would you when you drive a mint ‘65 Corvette – just one of a number of classic American muscle cars he owns.

He also believes that there’s no better way to get the job done than by rolling up your sleeves yourself. Mind you we reckon he just said that so he could actually roll up his sleeves to show us evidence of his other passions - tattoos of his beloved Arsenal Football Club and singer Alice Cooper.

Next time you’re in buying your meat for the barbie, ask him about why he loves either. Just remember to put some money in the parking meter outside. You may be some time.