We are proud of the calibre of the staff who work for MIA and the level of expertise they offer our members.

Sirma Karapeeva 0004a

Chief Executive Officer

SIRMA KARAPEEVA

Sirma joined the Meat Industry Association (MIA) as Trade and Economic Manager in March 2015 following a career in the public sector during which she developed a deep knowledge of trade policy and significant trade negotiations experience.

She was appointed as CEO in April 2020.

Prior to joining MIA Sirma was with the Ministry of Primary Industries’ (MPI) trade policy team, where she was involved in progressing the primary sector interests in the negotiations of goods market access and sanitary and phytosanitary provisions in New Zealand’s free trade agreements. Sirma has also worked with the Ministry of Economic Development (now MBIE) in negotiating and implementing New Zealand’s technical barriers to trade obligations

In addition to a long history of negotiating bilateral and pluri-lateral trade agreements, Sirma has represented New Zealand’s interests at a number of international forums including the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

DDI: +64 4 495 8380

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Full wording

Executive Assistant

This role is currently under recruitment.

DDI: 04 495 8375

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Manager Strategy and Advocacy

Jason Krupp



Mobile: 029 922 1221

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Ashlin Chand 2022 2

Manager Policy and Trade

ASHLIN CHAND

Ashlin joined MIA in July 2022 as Senior Policy Advisor after an extensive career at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). She first joined MPI in 2013 in a team that focused on policies for New Zealand’s domestic forestry and horticulture sectors. She has also been in roles that involve climate change and resource policy, and trade negotiations. Most recently, Ashlin was the First Secretary (Primary Industries) at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing where she represented New Zealand’s agriculture interests and its cooperation relationship with China. Ashlin has also had roles in a number of other government departments working on policies covering women’s issues, and community and settlement issues. She has undergraduate degrees from the University of Auckland, and post-graduate degrees from the University of Victoria Wellington.

DDI: +64 4 887 4814

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Natasha Watzdorf

Specialist Advisor: Technical and Regulatory

NATASHA WATZDORF

Natasha joined MIA in June 2022 into the newly established role of Specialist Advisor Technical and Regulatory.

After graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Adelaide in 2015, Natasha started her career in public health working for the Ministry for Primary Industries as a Veterinary Technical Supervisor based at several meat processing establishments throughout the North Island. She then moved into the Market Access directorate where she took lead as the Counsellor for Malaysia and Indonesia, and continued engagement on regulatory matters relating to meat hygiene and halal matters.

Natasha’s experience and qualifications provide her with the necessary expertise to advise and assist in liaison on technical and food safety and market access regulatory matters between the meat processing industry members and government departments and organisations whose policies and activities have an impact on the meat industry.

DDI: +64 4 495 8377

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Matt Conway 0001a

Policy Analyst

MATT CONWAY

Matt joined MIA at the end of 2008 after working as a research analyst for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and at the Parliamentary Library.

The main focus of Matt's work is in the area of trade policy and market access. This includes providing industry input to the government on free trade agreements. He also works with MIA members and the government to reduce the non-tariff barriers that the red meat industry faces in a number of markets around the world. Matt’s role also includes compiling a range of statistics and other industry information for our members and interested parties.

DDI: +64 4 495 8382

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Tatyana Protsenko FIN

Industry Training and Workforce Development Senior Advisor

TATYANA PROTSENKO
Tatyana joined MIA in April 2022 to lead Workforce development and represent industry interests in training and capability development. Tatyana brings a wealth of experience in the learning and development field with experience in adult education internationally and locally. Before joining MIA Tatyana worked as Project Manager, for the Primary Industry Training Organisation leading development of training courses and qualification reviews. She has a BA Linguistic and Art History from Victoria University of Wellington, a Post Graduate Certificate in TESOL from Victoria University of Wellington and is a Certified Associate in Project Management, Project Management Institute.

DDI: +64 4 471 6033

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In-house Legal Counsel

CHRISTOPHER GUY

Christopher joined MIA as In-house Legal Counsel in July 2018.

DDI: +64 4 495 8371

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Richard McColl 0001a

Science and Innovation Manager

RICHARD McCOLL

For the past 10 years Richard has been responsible for the development of MIA’s collaborative research portfolio including managing the Ovine Automation Limited Consortium which focuses on developing automation technologies for ovine processing.

Additionally Richard works very closely with MPI on the delivery of the regulatory model with particular emphasis on cost recovery, animal welfare and technical including STEC and advancing work programmes through the Strategic Directions Group (SDG).

Prior to this Richard held senior roles at both AFFCO and Alliance Group, gaining significant insight and institutional knowledge in the red meat sector.

DDI: +64 4 887 4818

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Kaylene Larking 0002a

Partnership Manager

KAYLENE LARKING

Kaylene joined the team in late 2014 to manage MIA Innovation Limited – an MIA subsidiary responsible for research and development in the meat industry. Her role includes liaison with the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre as the MIA representative on their Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group. Kaylene also works alongside Richard McColl in a number of other science related matters for the MIA.

Kaylene is a trained chemist who spent her early career specialising in technology transfer and the pilot scale development of chemical products, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals to GMP manufacturing standards. Her background also includes quality control systems and health and safety training.

For the past 10 years she has managed Government/Industry funded R&D portfolios for the agricultural sector; including the Johne’s Disease Research Consortium (JDRC) which developed resources for the management of Johne’s disease in New Zealand and Meat Biologics Research Limited, which invested in the development of added value products from red meat and its co-products.

DDI: +64 4 495 8378

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Michael Pran 0001a

Accountant

MICHAEL PRAN

With a Bachelor in Accounting and Commercial Law Michael's role within MIA includes managing finances for the Association and its affiliated entities. His proficiency in Fijian makes Michael a strong asset to the team as he also looks after the Halal recruitment for the industry and facilitation of work visas for overseas based Halal slaughtermen.

DDI: +64 4 495 8372

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