30 Years of SWNZ
This year Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand celebrates 30 years since the industry made a commitment to protecting the places that make its famous wines.
The New Zealand Winegrowers (NZE) Environment Team's work helps drive progress towards achieving these goals. Throughout 2025 that work will primarily focus on the areas of water, plant protection and climate change. The outcomes of this work aim to strengthen the industry's reputation for sustainability, an increasingly important driver of market access, and reduce long-term costs to members. This article highlights the Environment Team's planned activity in these areas and how this work will leave our industry, our world, and our wine better for it.
Water - Freshwater Farm Planning for Viticulture
Our industry water goal is to 'be a world leader in efficient water use and the protection of water quality'. Across New Zealand, expanding primary sector activity has contributed to decreased water quality in many catchments. During 2025 the Government expects to release updated Freshwater Farm Planning Regulations that will require farm operators to develop plans that seek to mitigate potential impacts of their land use on freshwater. Project Raumatatiki: Freshwater Farm Planning for Viticulture is on track to pilot a digital tool that will enable many members with vineyards to develop plans online. Access to the online tool will be via a link on the NZW members portal. This will provide a template-based solution enabling members to minimise the duplication required to meet regulatory requirements, saving time and money. Pilot testing of the tool begins in February/March this year and the project is scheduled to conclude in June.
Throughout 2024, NZW worked closely with government officials on changes to the regulations. Once more information is available, we will be engaging with members in regions as much as possible to promote awareness of the new regulatory requirements and potential changes to implementation timeframes. If you have any questions about freshwater farm planning or Project Raumatatiki, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Plant Protection - Biosecurity Planning becomes a Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand requirement for the 2025/26 growing season
Our industry plant protection goal is to ‘understand and mitigate impacts of existing and potential pests and disease’. Members’ commitment to biosecurity is fundamental to this goal being realised. The ongoing response to the detection of the oriental fruit fly in Auckland shows biosecurity events can strike anywhere at any time. Throughout 2025 the NZW biosecurity team will be visiting members in regions to introduce them to the recently updated biosecurity plan template and heighten awareness of key actions on vineyards that can mitigate biosecurity risk. Completing these biosecurity plans will be a SWNZ requirement for the 2025/26 season (therefore part of audits from 2026). Biosecurity plans help to minimise the risk of potential pest and disease spread – saving costs. The team will highlight the importance of preparing these plans in ‘peace time’ prior to an incursion happening to ensure members don’t have to suddenly adopt measures that they are not prepared for. As always, the biosecurity team is available to assist members with biosecurity matters at any time at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Climate change - accelerating our progress to Net Zero 2050
The New Zealand wine industry Roadmap to Net Zero 2050 was released in August last year. The Roadmap provides guidance on how we will reach our Net Zero goal. Our industry’s current emissions footprint is 305,000 tonnes CO2 e per annum. The five key opportunities to accelerate a transition to a net zero future include:
- Improving energy efficiency
- Moving away from diesel
- Decarbonising electricity
- Innovating the value chain
- Using carbon removals
Throughout 2025 the Environment Team’s key focus will be partnering with EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) to highlight key steps to help members realise these opportunities. Many of these emissions reduction activities have the added benefit of reducing costs in the medium term – a win-win for all concerned. The first climate-focused event taking place this year is Climate Action Week Marlborough, 24-28 February.
events.humanitix.com/climate-action-week-marlborough-2025
Conclusion: 30 years of SWNZ is just the beginning
SWNZ celebrates 30 Years in 2025. For the past three decades, this robust, independently audited programme has been an important way for members to demonstrate their commitment to a sustainable future. Our industry’s continued effort to improve our sustainability credentials will help to ensure access to export markets and influence customers’ purchasing decisions. Year by year, bit by bit, the positive actions we take will be fundamental to protecting and enhancing our reputation as a producer of high value, premium, sustainable wine.
Dr Edwin Massey is NZW General Manager Sustainability
