From October, Philip Manson, GM of Sustainable Winegrowing, will be based in the country’s largest wine region, instead of in the head office in Auckland.
“It makes perfect sense for me to be on the ground, in the centre of the wine industry, dealing face to face with members,” Manson said.
Sustainable Winegrowing already has a base in Marlborough, but Manson said there is now a need to expand that.
“Sustainability is not just about scorecards and spray diaries. They are vital components but there are other areas that dovetail into the whole sustainability portfolio. Labour and bio security are two that we are very aware of.”
The threat of a pest or disease incursion damaging to the wine industry, has become a fear of many members, one that NZW is well aware of. In the next few months a bio security manager will be appointed and they will be part of the hub in Blenheim.
“This will provide us with a great opportunity to engage with the members who are most at risk in a bio security emergency. If there was an incursion in Marlborough, it would be devastating to the wine industry overall, given the region produces more than three quarters of New Zealand’s wine. So it makes sense to have someone on the ground there working alongside growers and winemakers.”
Retaining a reliable and skilled workforce has been an on-going battle for the wine industry. While RSE has provided some solutions, the importance of having labour, when it is needed is something NZW have been aware of. Manson says the labour issue falls squarely into the sustainability portfolio.
“We need skilled workers throughout the entire year, not just at pruning,” he said. “And we need to know that they are available and ready to work. But we are also very aware of how important it is that our labour force is meeting all the sustainability requirements. That is something our markets demand. So developing a national labour management strategy will be a priority. It is also likely that a part time resource will be added to the hub, concentrating on all issues surrounding labour.”
The new hub is expected to be up and running by October, and for Manson the move south is a little bit like a home coming, given he was born in Marlborough. Admittedly he left when he was four, this time he plans on staying put a lot longer. ν
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