Q&A with Marlborough’s 2022 Mayoral Candidates
Q&A with Marlborough’s 2022 Mayoral Candidates
Matt Flight
What are the major challenges facing Marlborough's wine industry?
The biggest resource issue facing all industries at this stage would be people. As mayor I plan to address this issue by finding ways Marlborough can attract more people to our region. First it would be through tourism then secondly finding a way to get New Zealanders to stay here longer term.
How can they be addressed?
I would address this by engaging Destination Marlborough and other outlets and see what they need to really push this hard. We really need more than ever now to push this hard and fast so when the time comes we have more people on the ground.
One idea that was mentioned by the central government a few years back was introducing incentives for working holidays to younger people. I would look into expanding this to experienced people as well across all industries.
What opportunities lie ahead?
The Marlborough wine industry is still growing very fast , it is hard to think barely a few years ago wineries just passed Renwick, yet now they are well past Wairau township. It is this expansion that will keep driving our community, but we need the people to get us there.
How would you describe Marlborough's wine industry in 15 words or fewer?
The wine industry is in for a tough year, let's get the right people here
Chris Lippiatt
What are the major challenges facing Marlborough’s wine industry?
I’d say alcoholism. Also there’s a lot of attention on the treatment of RSE workers
How can they be addressed?
First challenge, what we could do is remove all the alcohol from our wine and not tell anybody. Like Ribena did with the Vitamin C. Then people can drink as much as they want with no harm. Second Challenge, we could, I don’t know, maybe pay them well. Give them decent healthcare and housing, not clip the ticket on their very low income so much. Otherwise our wine might be looked at as the next blood diamond. Which we would be frowned upon globally sure, but it would also mean DiCaprio would have to don a Kiwi accent for a movie in an attempt to gain another Oscar. So let’s just improve the lives of RSE workers and avoid all that.
What opportunities lie ahead?
Who knows? Maybe a new flavour where sommeliers review it and finally say ‘tastes like grapes’. Describe Marlborough’s wine industry in 15 words or fewer? They manufacture alcoholic grape juice… In Marlborough.
Richard Osmaston
What are the major challenges facing Marlborough's wine industry?
Sustainability, climate change, employment, resource consumption and competition from overseas producers all threaten the viability of Marlborough wine. Indeed of much of our lives. Perhaps it's time for a bit of a rethink and possibly a re-evaluation of why we're here and in wine production in the first place. What do we want for our children and ourselves? How's our legacy looking these days?
Our world has changed hugely in the last 50 years or so. Social, scientific, environmental and medical advances enable paradigm shifting transformations. Is our current money based economic model still fit for purpose? What would be the advantages in replacing it with a Resource Based Economy?
How can they be addressed?
By transitioning to a money free, volunteer based economic system. We can still produce whatever we want to, but instead of ever-increasing volumes, mechanisation and industrialisation, we could be downsizing wine production into local, holistic and family friendly operations. Concentrating on regeneration, sustainability, equality, wellbeing and of course, producing the very best Sav possible.
What opportunities lie ahead?
As detailed at moneyfreeparty.org.nz we can see that there are unprecedented solutions available still to move beyond the root cause of all our major problems. New Zealand's innovation, integrity, courage and clear, out-of-the-box thinking are needed more than ever to lead the world into a brighter future. We're ready. Are you?
How would you describe Marlborough's wine industry in 15 words or fewer?
Innovative, dynamic, leading. Let's lead the world in the right direction.
Nadine Taylor
What are the major challenges facing Marlborough's wine industry?
Sustainability is a significant challenge, ensuring Marlborough’s largest industry can operate efficiently and remain internationally competitive; attracting people to live, work and invest in an exceptional wine region, and enhancing global perceptions of Marlborough wine.
Retention of local decision-making for local issues and district planning is crucial for Marlborough to be a progressive and adaptable region. We need to maintain local decision-making on the future management, protection and sustainable utilisation of valuable resources such as water.
The government’s proposed three-waters reforms are a challenge – particularly for wastewater capacity and management. Current councillors joined C4LD, a local government action group of 31 councils who believe there is a better way of achieving government’s water-quality objectives while retaining local ratepayer control and ownership of our three-waters assets.
How can they be addressed?
Marlborough’s regional success relies on the success of our wine industry. Solutions to the issues facing the industry (and our region) require leadership and co-operative input from everyone from council to industry and government. Council needs to be an enabler; as deputy mayor I have enjoyed a productive working relationship with industry representatives and with government officials. I plan for council to continue working closely with Wine Marlborough, our industry and government to lead economic growth and tackle the issues that impact us all, together.
What opportunities lie ahead?
Marlborough’s wine industry is one of the most significant single-region contributors to New Zealand’s GDP. I’m excited at the opportunities ahead for industry and council to work closer together, strengthening the success of Marlborough wine and our region as a superb region to live, visit, enjoy and do business in. I’m proud to see the innovation that the wine industry is continuing to invest in, and the industry’s environmental stewardship, and believe we have an exciting future ahead.
How would you describe Marlborough’s wine industry in 15 words or fewer?
The industry is a crucial pillar of Marlborough’s economic, environmental, and social fabric.
In the lead up to the local government elections, Winepress also checks in with candidates in the Wairau Awatere ward on page 26 of the September issue.