Farmer, student awarded scholarship
Zoe McElrea a Young Farmer of the Year, plans on a future combining political study with real world experience. PHOTO: NICK BROOK
A young Clutha student is on a path to represent New Zealand farmers at an international level, with the help of an industry scholarship.
Zoe McElrea, 20, who is in her second year of study focused on politics, economics and international trade at the University of Otago, was one of five students to receive a $5000 scholarship from the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
"I would like to work at a high level ... as a trade negotiator in the industry or with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade," the fourth-generation Milton farm girl said.
The MIA provides annual scholarships to selected tertiary students in study relevant to a career in the the red meat industry sector beyond the paddocks.
The Tokomairiro High School and Columba College graduate has passed through leadership and achievement programmes including Youth Parliament and in 2023 won the Otago Southland Junior Young Farmers of the Year for the third year running with her brother Millar.
"I love being involved with everything on the farm ... I was so lucky to have that and be so connected with the land," she said.
"I saw the scholarship on a poster at uni and it just leapt out for me ... The financial support will be great but the connections to the industry, mentoring and meeting people in the wider sector is an amazing opportunity."
She had always been very interested in communication and how society made decisions and created policy, particularly at an international level.
"There's not a lot of rural representation in Wellington and in the policy making spaces.
"So it's really important we do get people from rural communities, and that policymakers reach out to farmers and ask: 'we're trying to make policy about you guys, how can we make sure it works, and what are you guys doing in that area?' ... So we're getting regulations and policies that are positive for the environment that are still workable and functional."
MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said MIA scholars were "highly motivated and focused on subjects of great value in future careers in the sector".
"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.
"Congratulations to Zoe and to all of our new scholars."
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