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.
Three post-graduate and six undergraduate students from Christchurch, Gore, Lumsden, Waikawa (Southland), Timaru, Ngāruawāhia, Dargaville, and Feilding, have joined the programme, alongside nine returning scholars.
Every year, the MIA provides scholarships of $5,000 per year for undergraduates and $10,000 per year for post-graduate students.
All are tertiary students studying a subject relevant to the red meat processing industry and planning a career in the sector beyond the farm gate.
This year’s new scholar intake are pursuing subjects including mechanical engineering, environmental management, commerce, global management, marketing, and agribusiness and food marketing.
Returning scholars include undergraduates, and postgraduate students undertaking Masters and PhD research in areas including foodborne pathogens and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in the sector.
Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the MIA, says that the industry needs to continue to recruit ambitious and highly skilled people to grow.
“This scholarship programme provides an important pathway for school leavers, undergraduate and graduate students into the New Zealand meat processing industry,” Karapeeva says.
“Every MIA scholar has the potential to become future leaders in the sector,” she adds.
As well as financial support, MIA scholars benefit from the organisation’s mentoring programme and participation in a range of industry events and networking opportunities. Assistance may also be provided to help them to secure vacation or part-time work in the meat processing industry.
The new MIA scholars for 2024 are:
- Sophie Ridd, from Feilding, Masters in Global Management and Marketing, Lincoln University
- Kelly-Anne Bentley, from Ashburton, Masters degree working on identifying biomarkers in lamb meat, Lincoln University
- Kelsi Hayes, from Waikawa, Southland, Masters in Environmental Management, Massey University
- Oliver Stark, from Gore, Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury
- Fynn Mitchell, from Lumsden, Commerce majoring in operations and supply chain management, Lincoln University
- Emily Irwin, from Gore, Agribusiness and Food Marketing, Lincoln University
- Wiseson Kuang, from Timaru, Commerce majoring in international business, minor finance, University of Canterbury
- Thomas Hayward, from Te Ākau, Waikato, Law and Commerce majoring in operations and supply chain management, Lincoln University
- Angus Bradley, from Dargaville, Commerce majoring in finance and accounting, specialising in agriculture, Lincoln University
