Sutton declares his taste in friends and fine wines

Friends of Jim Sutton will be vying to be on the invite list for the dinner party when the Cabinet minister opens his bottles of 1990 Petrus and 1986 Chateau Margaux.

Mr Sutton told the Weekend Herald he planned to invite a few of his friends around to sample the wine - valued at more than $2000 - which was a gift from the chief executive of Macau's Fisherman's Wharf, David Chow.

"I have many good friends," Mr Sutton said. "But this invitation list will be to those who I know are connoisseurs."

The gift was declared on the first register of pecuniary interests of Members of Parliament. It was one of the more interesting declarations in the register, which requires MPs to list gifts worth more than $500, super schemes, property, loans and organisations with which they are associated which seek Government funding.

Wine experts the Weekend Herald spoke to valued the 1990 Petrus at between $1000 and $2000 and the 1986 Chateau Margaux at about $600.

Mr Sutton, Trade Negotiations Minister, said he met Mr Chow on a trade mission and he had excellent taste in wine. "He is a potential investor in New Zealand," he said. "I was looking for opportunities for New Zealand participation in some of his ventures."

Labour list MP Ashraf Choudhary, a Muslim, has shares in SkyCity.

Islamic law prevents gambling and Muslims who follow their religion strictly are not permitted to invest in companies involved in it and alcohol.

Dr Choudhary said he viewed SkyCity as more of an "entertainment" business.

He said he did not gamble himself and did not think he was conflicted by holding shares in a gaming company.