Melonie Sheppard

Melonie Sheppard is a seasoned professional in the agricultural and human resources sectors, currently serving as the MPI Regional Adviser for On Farm Support at the Ministry for Primary Industries since February 2025. Melonie has been a Rabobank Program Facilitator for the Farm Manager Programme since June 2021, leading transformative training for farm managers in New Zealand and Australia. Previous roles include Sector Manager for Meat & Fibre at Primary ITO, where strategic direction for the learning needs of various sectors was provided, and a People Management Consultant for Primary Industries, focusing on pathways in farm business ownership and computer upskilling for red meat farmers. Melonie's diverse experience also encompasses temporary HR support at Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts, Human Resources Management at Moutere Logging Ltd, and stakeholder engagement management at the Red Meat Profit Partnership. Melonie holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Massey University and has previously contributed to HR functions and consultancy in various agricultural contexts.