The son of Central Otago is now an Olympian.
Well, nearly.
He will not officially join the ranks of the New Zealand sporting elite until he drops into the canoe slalom chute on Wednesday, but a simple little job this week drove home how far he had come from Alexandra.
"We went out and stuck that NZL sticker on the front of our boats," Butcher told the Otago Daily Times from Paris.
"When I was a kid, I used to see some of the senior paddlers in New Zealand with the NZL on front of the boat, and I was, like, man I want one of those one day.
"I just had a moment today when we were putting those stickers on for the race, and seeing that NZL with Olympic rings on it was pretty special."
Butcher, 29, has had a few days to settle into Paris and the Olympic Village.
The village was like a "massive suburb" with all the different countries having flags hanging off their buildings.
He and fellow canoe slalom exponent Luuka Jones got one of the biggest welcomes to their temporary new home.
"We had this awesome welcome with a huge haka. The men’s sevens and men’s hockey teams were part of a big group around us. It was pretty powerful.
"Then we received a bit of West Coast pounamu. Nice little link to the South there."
Butcher, Jones and their coaches are sharing an apartment.
There is a gym just down the hall, and naturally the strapping Dunstan High School old boy has been eager to check out the tucker.
"The food hall is massive, and it’s pretty fun to go to. You play guess the sport and try to see where other people are from.
"I haven’t seen anyone super famous yet, but I saw Andy Murray at the food hall. He was just chilling out with his team-mates.
"I’ll be keeping an eye out, though. I’m pretty keen to see some of the road cyclists. I’ve been frothing over the Tour de France, so hopefully I can meet some of them."
Butcher’s parents, Dale Butcher and Wendy Robertson, were arriving in Paris yesterday, along with his sister and her fiance.
His mentor, Gordon Rayner, and wife Mary were to follow, so Butcher will have plenty of support when he competes in the canoe slalom, then the frenzied kayak cross event.
The Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium was looking great and he expected the atmosphere to be intense once the action started.
Butcher has been in good form, winning silver and bronze medals on the world cup circuit, and is feeling fresh after a solid training block.
Now it is time to race.
"Man, I’ve had a few moments of reflection, and just feeling really proud and grateful and happy to be here. I’m ready to rip into it now.
"My form is good. I’m in a good space, I think, and pretty confident. I’m pretty comfortable on the course. It’s just about enjoying the experience now and allowing myself to paddle free and rip into it.
"It’s going to be exciting. I’m ready. I’m pretty keen to get on that start line."
