Australian vineyard chips in to save wetlands

An Australian winemaking giant is donating $20,000 to restore wetlands in Masterton and in South Wairarapa.

Banrock Station, a vineyard on the Murray River delta near Adelaide, makes a donation to wetlands projects around the world for every bottle of wine sold.

It has just donated $10,000 towards two major projects in the region and yesterday pledged to give a further $10,000 next year.

The money is to go to the Henley Lake wetlands development in Masterton and the Wairio Wetlands restoration in South Wairarapa.

These two projects are among six in New Zealand being supported by Banrock.

Banrock manager Tony Sharley said he recognised that the only way to make real headway in conservation was if the corporate world took a role in looking after natural world.

"The only way to do it is to get business involved."

Banrock has sponsored projects in 14 countries.

- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE (MASTERTON)