If it makes you feel better, even if you did have your choice, chances are it would have been a pretty average meal anyway. (Sometimes they are terrible and rarely, they can be good).
The average "prawnless" entree would have been a good clue.
If you don't eat pork you should have asked about the choices in economy.
I find NZ does proactively approach Elite/Plat members more often than QF for meal selection priority. Then again, I recall always having my choice on QF even before I made Plat. Maybe I was lucky, or my selection are what no one else wants.
QF Credit: Plat/OWE have access to QF First flagship lounge ex SYD or MEL. They have excellent a la carte meals. You will struggle with inflight dining after.