Innovation

Introduction

The Meat Industry Association and our members supporting practical science and technology to help New Zealand’s red meat sector grow value, strengthen resilience and meet the needs of global customers.

Innovation has always been central to New Zealand’s red meat processing and exporting sector.

MIA works with members, government, research organisations and sector partners to support applied science and practical technology that can be adopted by processors and exporters.

This work helps the sector remain competitive, grow export value and maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted producer of safe, high-quality food.

Tomorrow’s Futures

Tomorrow’s Futures is an industry-designed programme to protect and grow the meat processing sector, aligned with priority targets in the Red Meat Sector Strategy.

Co-funded by MIA and the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Primary Sector Growth Fund, the programme is helping processors capture the benefits of emerging technology and evidence-backed nutrition credentials.

The programme began in October 2025 and is progressing across four focused workstreams:

• Infant Nutrition: exploring a red meat-based weaning food to help improve iron status among young New Zealanders.

• Biodegradation of Single-Use Plastics: investigating waste-to-energy options for plastic and paper waste from processing operations.

• Automated Meat Inspection: developing artificial intelligence and computer vision tools to support meat inspection.

• Recognition of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: building the evidence base for health-related claims linked to pasture-raised red meat.

Dairy Beef Opportunities programme

MIA is a partner in the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme, a cross-sector initiative designed to unlock more value from dairy-beef animals through improved systems, genetics, finishing pathways and value-chain solutions.

Food safety science

Food safety is fundamental to New Zealand’s international reputation and market access. MIA is a gold member of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, giving MIA and its members access to research coordination, co-funding opportunities and the Centre’s Industry Leadership Group.

Current investment is focused on strengthening the sector’s understanding of pathogen management, including STEC on livestock.

MIA members also benefit from the Centre’s Emerging Risk Intelligence Service, which scans scientific literature and international networks for new and emerging food safety risks.

Targeted applied research

Alongside major partnership programmes, MIA supports targeted research where there is a clear industry need and practical benefit for members. The emphasis is on applied science that can improve processing efficiency, product quality, food safety, traceability and market readiness.

A history of sector-led science

New Zealand’s meat industry has a long history of research and innovation, including decades of sector-led science through the former Meat Industry Research Institute of New Zealand. MIA continues that legacy by supporting collaborative research and maintaining access to historic sector knowledge.

Working with members

MIA’s innovation work is guided by member priorities. The association helps identify shared challenges, connect members with research and funding opportunities, and support projects that deliver practical benefits across the sector.