Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
But the far greater challenge is in reducing the number down, thanks to an industry rich with fascinating people, landscapes, research, events, environmental initiatives, marketing manoeuvres, and collegial celebrations. This month, in the wake of the Brilliant Vineyard Ecosystems conference, the excellent New Zealand Society for Viticulture and Oenology technical workshop on alternative varietals, myriad announcements of new research and trials, and a slew of wine awards and wine-people accolades, there are a whole bunch of great yarns missing from the edition, waiting patiently for the next.
It's an exciting industry with enduring impetus, driven by the passion its people hold for the work they do - whether grapegrowers grappling with regenerative viticulture, or winemakers working to marry tradition and innovation, or scientists studying soil carbon sequestration.
In this edition we focus on some of the science and technology helping the industry work more cohesively with nature, with the likes of forensic science to trace terroir, and DNA sequencing to tap into a more diverse genetic makeup in vineyards.
This edition also looks at some of the concerns around the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, and how a government review could and should address some of its shortcomings to ensure it’s a win-win, helping the New Zealand wine industry while benefitting and protecting the Pacific Island people who leave their families behind to come to New Zealand to work in our vines. “First and foremost, RSE workers need to be treated with dignity and respect,” says New Zealand Winegrowers Chair Clive Jones on page 19. “As an industry, we support best practice when caring for RSE workers, rather than just meeting minimum standards of pastoral care.”
