Wellbeing workshops planned for grape growers and winemakers

New Zealand Winegrowers' leadership and communities manager Nicky Grandorge. Photo / Supplied

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is supporting a series of wellbeing workshops for the wine industry.

It had been a challenging 12 months for the industry, with weather events, and labour supply issues and market uncertainty caused by Covid-19, MPI's director of Rural Communities and Farming Support Nick Story said.

"The severity of these impacts has varied across regions. The workshops will give people the tools to help them tackle the year ahead with a positive frame of mind."

MPI has allocated $40,000 to New Zealand Winegrowers to deliver 12 wellbeing workshops in winemaking regions, which are available to everyone working across the industry.

The workshops will take place in February and March in the South Island, prior to harvest, and in April and May in the North Island post-harvest.

"The workshops are designed to help boost morale and reignite enthusiasm following last year's challenges," New Zealand Winegrowers' leadership and communities manager Nicky Grandorge said.

"They will include discussions on the importance of mental wellbeing, as well as helping people to reset for 2021."

Funding for the initiative was provided in Budget 2020. MPI was allocated $1.1 million over three years to deliver extra wellbeing and support services to complement those provided by Rural Support Trusts.

Wine is New Zealand's sixth-largest export good, with exports hitting $2 billion in 2020.

New Zealand wine is sold in more than 100 countries.

"Go You!" workshop details and registration:

South Island

Nelson - February 24
Marlborough – February 25
North Canterbury – February 26
Cromwell – March 1
Alexandra – March 2

North Island

Auckland Central – March 11
Matakana - April 28
Waiheke – April 29
Northland – April 30
Gisborne – May 3
Hawke's Bay – May 4
Wairarapa - May 5

For more information visit the website here.