NZ “tongue-soft” red meat innovation wins 2026 MIA Dragon’s Den
A New Zealand red meat product range with “tongue-soft” texture for elderly or unwell people has won the 2026 Meat Industry Association (MIA) Dragon’s Den competition.
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) is inviting applications for its scholarship programme from students interested in a career in the red meat processing and exporting sector.
MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the programme was aimed at students interested in employment opportunities in the industry beyond the farm gate.
“There are a vast number of career opportunities in the processing and export sector, from food design and environmental science, through to marketing, food science and technology and industrial innovation.
“The New Zealand meat industry is also New Zealand’s largest manufacturing sector, exporting over $11 billion worth of product annually. In the past three decades, the industry has transformed itself, developing new products, adopting new technologies and automating production, and selling to new overseas markets.
“To grow in the future, we need ambitious and highly skilled people. The MIA scholarships are focused on attracting well qualified young people into this rewarding and progressive sector and supporting their development into an industry that is critical to the economic prosperity of New Zealand.”
The industry is particularly interested in attracting people from lower socio-economic backgrounds or ethnic minority groups, she says.
“We want to provide opportunities for those with leadership potential, who might not normally have the means, to study at a tertiary level.”
Alongside funding, the scholarships also feature a strong mentoring programme including an annual scholars workshop, connecting scholars with industry leaders, and assistance to secure vacation or part-time work with the New Zealand meat processing industry. Many MIA scholarship alumni have secured internships and graduate roles and are enjoying rewarding careers in the sector.
Applications for undergraduate awards are invited from students currently studying for a Bachelors’ or diploma programme or those planning to begin their studies in 2025.
Applications for post-graduate awards are invited from those undertaking or planning to begin a Masters or Doctoral programme. The course of study must be at a New Zealand university or Te Pūkenga (NZ Institute of Skills and Technology) or an approved international university.
More than 25,000 people work across a wide range of jobs in meat processing throughout New Zealand and predominantly in the regions. The industry provides very competitive salaries, long-term employment and strong career pathways.
It is also one of the biggest trainers of New Zealand workers, with approximately 4,500 people undergoing NZQA accredited courses annually.
Scholarship applications must be submitted via the online portal by 27 November 2024. For further details and the application form, visit the MIA website www.mia.co.nz, or email MIA’s Partnership Manager, Kaylene Larking This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
