Man of mana in wine industry

HONOURED: John Clarke has been made a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers. File photo

John Clarke has been honoured for his contribution to the country's wine industry.

Covid has affected all sectors of New Zealand society and the economy, but winegrowers were finally able to bestow honours last week which were originally announced in June.

Mr Clarke was inducted as the 2021 Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) for 30 years of work for winegrowers and the New Zealand Grape Growers Council.

The presentation was made by NZ Winegrowers chairman Clive Jones.

He said Mr Clarke, Mayor of Gisborne from 1989 to 2001, was an ex-president of Gisborne Winegrowers.

Halfway through his 10-year tenure, Mr Clarke joined the executive committee of the New Zealand Grape Growers Council.

He served on the council from 2007 to 2014, including the last two years as president.

The council was then disestablished as part of the final coming together of industry organisations in NZW.

Mr Clarke joined the NZW board as an alternate member in 2007 and held the position until 2011.

He became a full board member in 2012 and deputy chairman in 2013.

Mr Clarke went on to become chairman in 2018 before stepping down in 2020.

He retains an involvement in industry affairs as a trustee of the Bragato Trust, a position he has held for a number of years.

Mr Jones said Mr Clarke played a key role in all the major initiatives during that time.

That included the response to the 2008 to 2010 oversupply, the 2011 strategic review of New Zealand Winegrowers, the final formation of NZW as the peak industry body, including the overhaul of the director electoral system, securing of over $12 million of government funding for the Bragato Research Institute, and the industry's response to Covid-19.

“John is a true gentleman.

“He has served his industry in the very best traditions of those who came before him, and he has set standards for all who follow.

“I hadn't really met John until I joined the NZW board.

“Philip Gregan (NZW chief executive), at the time, described John as having mana, and that is indeed the case.

“He is deservedly a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers.”