Download Wine Geographical Indications - Proposed amendment to the 85% rule in section 21

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are seeking industry views on a proposal to amend section 21 of the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Act 2006 (the Act) so that New Zealand registered geographical indications may only be used to identify wine if the wine is made solely from grapes harvested in New Zealand.

A geographical indication is a name, usually a regional name, that is used to identify the origin of goods where some quality, reputation or other characteristic of the goods are related in some essential way to their geographical region. In the case of New Zealand wine, there could potentially be a number of geographical indications registered, such as ‘Marlborough’, ‘Nelson’, or ‘Hawkes Bay’.

Subject to submissions received as part of this consultation, the Government intends to include the proposed amendment in an amendment Bill that has other amendments required to implement the Act. The amendment Bill is being prepared for introduction later this year. Subject to Parliamentary processes, the intention is to implement the Act in 2016.

MBIE and MPI welcome written submissions on the proposal contained in this document. All submissions must be received by MPI no later than 20 July 2015.