New Zealand Winegrowers has released the results of a Strategic Review of the grape and wine sector.
The review was conducted in the last quarter of 2011 by consulting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers.
The review recommended 10 new or extended activities and the winegrowers board has agreed to all these recommendations.
They include the development of a vineyard registry, increased resourcing for social responsibility initiatives, reprioritising marketing expenditure, improving geographical indication protection and focusing research on four key areas.
“The review is a comprehensive examination of the industry – how it has changed in recent years, the opportunities and challenges facing it, and the future role of New Zealand Winegrowers,” says chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers Stuart Smith.
“It provides a framework for the profitable growth of New Zealand wine. It confirms that New Zealand wine’s success to date has been founded on its reputation for high quality and distinctive wine styles.
“It argues that New Zealand Winegrowers must protect and further invest in that reputation to ensure a prosperous future. I believe that is a view
that will resonate well with grape growers and wineries,” he says.
Mr Smith says members would see significant changes as a result of the review.
“This is not a review that is going to sit on the shelf. We commissioned it with the aim of improving the services New Zealand Winegrowers offers to the industry, and the board has already moved to implement the recommendations.”
The report also recommended that New Zealand Winegrowers amend its governance structure to support its strategic priorities.
The Board has agreed to implement all the short-term governance changes recommended including reducing its size, consolidating its committee structure, developing succession plans for the executive team and improving its administration and introducing metrics.
The Winegrowers board has also put in place a comprehensive process to consult members on the remaining governance changes recommended by the review.
These include amalgamating the group’s two constituent bodies, reducing the size of the board further, adding independent directors, and rationalising the regional levy spend.
Wine industry members were briefed on the review outcomes in a series of nine workshops throughout New Zealand attended by chairman Stuart Smith, deputy chairman Steve Green and chief executive Philip Gregan as well as representatives from PWC.
“It is vitally important that growers and wineries understand the analysis that Price Waterhouse Coopers have conducted and the strategic initiatives they have recommended, so that the industry can take full advantage of the opportunities identified,” Mr Smith says.
Copies of the review are available from the New Zealand Winegrowers website – www.nzwine.com
For further information contact:
Stuart Smith, chairman: 027 540 1138
Steve Green, deputy chairman:
027 208 3194
Philip Gregan, chief executive:
021 964 564
