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.
MIA Independent Chair Nathan Guy thanked Karapeeva for her six years in the role and said she had led the organisation through times of industry challenges and growth.
“Sirma joined the MIA in 2015 as Trade and Economic Manager following a career in the public sector and was appointed to the CEO role in 2020," he says.
“Under Sirma’s leadership we have seen some contrasting times including managing our evolving Covid response through to recent periods of unprecedented growth in global returns,” says Guy.
“With her background in trade policy and negotiation, Sirma has been a steady pair of hands as we dealt with the unknown outcome of the recent American tariff announcements, the China Safeguard investigations and free trade agreements with Europe and the United Kingdom.
“Sirma has been a tireless contributor for the MIA, meat companies and the wider red meat sector.
"During Sirma’s time as CEO she provided an excellent link between government and industry, leading MIA to strengthen its wider industry partnerships. This proved especially beneficial as we worked together to address industry challenges and take a more aligned approach across the sector," says Guy.
Karapeeva will be helping with transitional matters before finishing with the MIA on 6 March 2026 and the organisation will start a recruitment process shortly.
