Meat Industry Association names new scholars for 2025

Five young New Zealanders have been selected for the Meat Industry Association (MIA) scholarship programme for 2025.

The new scholars, undergraduate students from Dunedin, Blenheim, Milton, Cambridge and Opotiki, have joined the programme alongside 10 returning scholars.

Every year, the MIA provides scholarships of $5,000 per annum for undergraduates and $10,000pa 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.

Participants in this year’s new scholar intake are pursuing subjects including commerce, environmental science, law, agribusiness and food marketing and international agribusiness.

Returning scholars include undergraduate students in subjects ranging from mechanical engineering to finance and a post graduate scholar undertaking research into foodborne pathogens.

Sirma Karapeeva, MIA chief executive, said all the scholars are highly motivated and focused on subjects which will be of great value in future careers in the sector.

“This scholarship programme provides an important pathway for school leavers, undergraduate and graduate students into the meat processing industry, which is so important to the New Zealand economy.

“In order to grow the sector, we need to continue to recruit ambitious and highly skilled people. All of our MIA scholars have the potential to become future leaders in the industry.”

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 2025 are:

  • Georgia Te Raki, from Dunedin, Bachelor of Commerce majoring in marketing, University of Otago
  • Riley King, from Blenheim, Bachelor of Science majoring in environmental science, Lincoln University
  • Katie Hollands, from Cambridge, Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing, Lincoln University
  • Nicole Petersen, from Opotiki, Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing, Lincoln University
  • Zoe McElrea, from Milton, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in politics and French with emphasis on international and trade politics, University of Otago.

ENDS