A conference aimed at mapping the next steps in the sustainable growth and global competitiveness of New Zealand's wine industry takes place in the Hawke's Bay this week, reports the well known kiwi legal firm Bell Gully in www.scoop.co.nz.

The two-day conference, 'Planning for the Wine Industry - Sustaining and Maintaining Growth' to be held over November 22-23 is being organized by New Zealand Winegrowers and Bell Gully, key legal advisers to the wine industry, in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment.

Key industry players will come together to discuss issues and options for policy to secure future global competitiveness for New Zealand's wine industry, while meeting the objectives of the Resource Management Act.

Bell Gully's senior partner David McGregor, counsel for New Zealand Winegrowers which represents the industry's national and global interests, says the conference has been borne from a growing recognition that New Zealand must plan for the future now to remain globally competitive. The involvement of local government and central government in the process is critical.

'The country continues to produce more wine every year, and there are no signs of the growth abating. This year for the first time more than 100 million litres of New Zealand wine has been sold already and our national vineyard is growing by about 2000 hectares a year' adds McGregor.

For more details, visit www.scoop.co.nz

Subhash Arora