WINE'S ROLE IN THE NATION'S ECONOMY

THE GROWING importance of wine to the economy is traced in a new report, Economic impact of the New Zealand wine industry. The report emphasises that the industry contributes over $NZ1.5 billion to the country's gross domestic product and supports more than 16,500 full-time jobs.

The report, by the New Zealand Institute for Economic Research, says wine exports have grown at a compound rate of almost 24 per cent a year for the past 20 years, and now generate 2.2 per cent of the country's total export receipts. Wine plays a pivotal role in some regions, accounting for 20 per cent of Marlborough's economy. The industry also plays a key role in promoting the country's image globally, "by presenting New Zealand's credentials on every bottle sold and generating media exposure". Wine also enhances New Zealand's reputation as a "clean, green, sustainable" producer.