2 Mar 2026 New Zealand Meat Board welcomes new director Jane Mellsop, farewells Sarah Paterson

The New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB) has confirmed Jane Mellsop as the new Government appointee to the Board, bringing extensive international trade and policy expertise to the role.

Ms Mellsop is director of trade, investment and economic security at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and has held a range of senior roles across trade negotiation, law and public policy.

She previously served as a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was senior trade adviser to New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Export Growth, providing advice across the full spectrum of international trade issues.

Ms Mellsop has also been chief legal counsel for the negotiation and implementation of several major free trade agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the New Zealand-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership and the New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

NZMB chair Kate Acland said the Board was pleased to welcome Ms Mellsop.

“Jane brings a valuable skillset. Her international experience and knowledge will be important as the NZMB continues to work to achieve the most advantageous outcomes for farmers and the wider red meat industry.

“This appointment comes at a time when protecting and maximising access to New Zealand’s high-value markets remains critical.

“In an increasingly complex global trading environment, maintaining strong market access and robust quota systems is essential to delivering ongoing value for farmers and the wider red meat industry. Jane’s international experience will strengthen the Board’s capability as we look ahead.”

Ms Acland also acknowledged outgoing Government appointee Sarah Paterson, who has served on the Board since 2018.

“We have valued Sarah’s experience, knowledge and expertise in international trade. She has made a significant contribution.”

The NZMB oversees around $4.2 billion of red meat exports each year into key quota markets including the European Union, United Kingdom and United States, delivering tariff savings of almost $1.4 billion annually for the sector.

The Board manages 10 country-specific tariff rate quotas, including New Zealand’s longstanding World Trade Organization quotas, the United States quota, and more recently negotiated Free Trade Agreement quotas covering beef, sheepmeat and goatmeat exports to the European Union and United Kingdom.

The NZMB also administers significant farmer reserves. As of 30 September 2025, its managed investment portfolio carried a market value of $98.6 million. This includes a contingency fund of $69.8 million to help New Zealand re-enter export markets in the event of a biosecurity incursion or disruption in quota markets.

Interest from this fund is used, in consultation with sheep and beef farmers, for industry-good projects such as the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme.

For more information, please contact:
Sam Halstead
027 474 6065
sam@latitudesc.co.nz