On 3 November, 1886, one of New Zealand's most iconic brands was born: Anchor Butter. Launched from his dairy farm in Pukekura, Waikato, Henry Reynolds was allegedly inspired to name his brand of butter 'Anchor' after seeing a tattoo on the arm of one of his employees. It would become one of this country's best known trademarks.

Butter-making and eating traditions immigrated to New Zealand with the British. Reynolds was inspired by a Mr Gemmell, a Californian who started making butter on his Hamilton farm using a somewhat improved system from that of the ordinary farmer. Reynolds was encouraged to take a pound of Gemmell's butter and keep it in his cupboard for two months. Gemmell guaranteed that at the end of that time, the butter would be perfectly sweet and good. Reynolds did so. The boast proved correct.

With the advent of refrigerated shipping, Reynolds was quick to see the export potential of factory-made butter. In 1886 he left his position as manager of the Waikato Land Association, built a single storey butter factory on his property in Pukekura, west of Cambridge, and engaged Gemmell as his butter maker. On 3 November 1886, the first 100 pounds were produced.

Butter was originally packaged in enamel lined boxes, then large tins topped with brine, and eventually in kegs. First supplied to the Auckland market, Anchor butter was then exported to Australia, Hong Kong, and China. Anchor butter wasn't exported to Britain until 1888, after Reynolds was encouraged by comments made at the Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne. Butter exportation to England was one of the reasons New Zealand became known as the 'dairy land of the empire'.

In 1896, because of financial difficulties, Reynolds sold all his interests to the New Zealand Dairy Association, who adopted the Anchor brand. In 1919 this became the trade mark of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, when various dairy companies were amalgamated.

The images above come from the New Zealand Co-Operative Dairy Co Ltd Jubilee Souvenir booklet 'The Empire's Dairy Farm' 1936. Produced by the NZ Cooperative Dairy Company, this souvenir booklet summarises the history of the company from the first factory at Pukekura in 1886. It includes photos and information on early directors and staff, production methods and marketing. The record is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries collections held by Archives New Zealand (further information can be found here: www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=16696801)

Archives Reference: ABMH W4524 Box 1

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