Wine promoter's work recognised

By Yoke Har Lee

For former Corporate Investments chief executive Bryan Mogridge, fine wines, food and tourism form an integral part of New Zealand's future.

Wine exports this year are valued at just over $100 million while the tourism industry is valued at $10 billion to $11 billion. But connect the two and the future looks much bigger.

"Wine is an important part of tourism," he said, adding that both industries have a very bright future.

Mr Mogridge is on this year's Officer of New Zealand, Order of Merit roll call, for helping to promote the wine industry at home and abroad.

One of the most significant contributions he made was in getting the Sale of Liquor Act changed in 1989. "It was important for the wine industry, it got a lot more cafes established, got wine sold in super-markets, and got wine and food consumed together," he said.

Mr Mogridge retired in July 1997 from Corporate Investments, which is the parent company of Montana Wines Ltd. He is still a director of Montana Wines.

He was the longest serving chairman of the Wine Institute, from 1985-1991 and the inaugural chairman of Winegrowers New Zealand. He is currently chairman of Starship Children's Hospital Foundation and resigned just before Christmas as the chairman of the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Mr Modridge last year formed The New Zealand Fund Ltd, an private equity investment company, and is in the process of making its first few investment projects.