Connell Brian: Wine Makers Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
Connell Brian: Wine Makers Amendment Bill — Third Reading 
[Volume:607;Page:4526] 
BRIAN CONNELL (NZ National—Rakaia) 
: 
 I think it is nice that this bill is so widely supported by all the major parties in this House and also by the industry that it concerns. I note that Part 5 of the original Wine Bill is being dealt with separately from the Wine Bill so that we can quickly progress it through the House in order to ensure supply of this New Zealand product to the European Union market. I also note that it is something that is being foisted upon the industry. I do not think for a moment that this industry wants to regulate itself as is being prescribed by the European Union regulators. 
There is no doubt as one sees when one travels all around New Zealand that the economy is enhanced by this industry which is developing quickly and I think it is developing quickly because it has not been highly regulated. I think people have been able to use a fair degree of entrepreneurial flair in creating an industry that is now starting to flourish. My concern though is that if we adopt the regulations too rigorously then we are going to over-regulate and slow down the growth of an industry that I think will play a critical role and make a critical contribution to our economy. 
When the Minister spoke on the Wine Bill he spoke very clearly and with some pride about the fact that he had consulted the industry widely. Being the nice gentlemanly folk that we are on this side of the House we took him at his word. I think he has established a precedent—if it continues—of wide consultation and we support that. 
I have said that the wine industry is something that is very clearly making a contribution to New Zealand. In my neck of the woods Rakaia it is fair to say that the industry is in a fledgling state. It has yet to mature but it is making a contribution. As we are in a very cooperative mood I would like to extend an opportunity to members to come to Rakaia and let me host them as we go around some of the vineyards and they can sample some of the splendid heartland South Island hospitality. 
Darren Hughes 
: Is the member serious? 
BRIAN CONNELL 
: I am very serious. As I said I understand the need for regulation but that leads me to something that really concerns me. How are we going to enforce the regulations? I have a vision of “wine police” looking after our wine industry. What concerns me is that I can see a bureaucracy being developed around our wine industry because we are responding to regulations that are being imposed on us. I think this is something that we should be very careful of. I can see lawyers and consultants licking their lips as they reach for a glass of our fine product which they will be in a position to afford. 
The issue of regulation is something that really bothers me. The Resource Management Act has an immediate impact on our ability to produce a quality product. 
Steve Chadwick 
: It’s done well for 9 years. 
BRIAN CONNELL 
: Yes the industry has done well but it is now getting to a point where it needs to expand rapidly and it needs assistance to do that. It will not get that assistance if it is impeded by being over-regulated. I do not want to take too much of the House’s time. I want just to sound a warning that if we over-regulate we will stifle the development of this fledgling industry. It still is a fledgling industry. It still has a long way to go. It has a lot of opportunity and a lot to commend it. But we must be careful that we do not stifle it. 
Bill read a third time.