Hawkes Bay keen to capitalise on wine and food

Hawkes Bay businesses are keen to make the region the wine and food capital of New Zealand.

The bid is the outcome of a two-day seminar of Hawkes Bay food, wine and hospitality interests and local authorities.

The owner of Sileni Estates, Graeme Avery, heads a steering group to establish a wine and food tourism council.

Avery said Hawkes Bay had the potential to become one of the world's great food and wine regions.