Esther Guy-Meakin Appointed Chief Executive of the NZ Meat Board
Esther Guy-Meakin has been announced as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Mellsopp is currently director of trade, investment, and economic security at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington D.C., and has held a range of senior roles across trade negotiation, law and public policy.
She previously served as a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was senior trade adviser to New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Export Growth, providing advice across the full spectrum of international trade issues.
Mellsopp has also been chief legal counsel for the negotiation and implementation of several major free trade agreements, including Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the New Zealand-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership and the New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement.
NZMB chair Kate Acland says the board is pleased to welcome Melsopp.
“Jane brings a valuable skillset. Her international experience and knowledge will be important as the NZMB continues to work to achieve the most advantageous outcomes for farmers and the wider red meat industry," Acland says.
“This appointment comes at a time when protecting and maximising access to New Zealand’s high-value markets remains critical.
Read More:
- Red Meat Exports Deliver $1.4bn in Tariff Savings Across EU, UK and US Quota Markets
- New CEO for meat board
- Funding boost for red meat
“In an increasingly complex global trading environment, maintaining strong market access and robust quota systems is essential to delivering ongoing value for farmers and the wider red meat industry. Jane’s international experience will strengthen the Board’s capability as we look ahead.”
Acland also acknowledged outgoing Government appointee Sarah Paterson, who has served on the Board since 2018.
“We have valued Sarah’s experience, knowledge and expertise in international trade. She has made a significant contribution.”
The NZMB oversees around $4.2 billion of red meat exports each year into key quota markets including the European Union, United Kingdom and United States, delivering tariff savings of almost $1.4 billion annually for the sector.
 |
|---|
|
Sarah Paterson |
The Board manages 10 country-specific tariff rate quotas, including New Zealand’s longstanding World Trade Organization quotas, the United States quota, and more recently negotiated Free Trade Agreement quotas covering beef, sheepmeat and goatmeat exports to the European Union and United Kingdom.
The NZMB also administers significant farmer reserves. As of 30 September 2025, its managed investment portfolio carried a market value of $98.6 million. This includes a contingency fund of $69.8 million to help New Zealand re-enter export markets in the event of a biosecurity incursion or disruption in quota markets.
Interest from this fund is used, in consultation with sheep and beef farmers, for industry-good projects such as the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme.
