Highlighting Kiwi cuisine

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 3

Highlighting Kiwi cuisine

Political reporter A “Taste New Zealand” campaign was launched in Queenstown yesterday by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Goff, during the town’s food and beverage “Summerbration” festivities.

The campaign is aimed at enhancing the quality of holidays in New Zealand by overseas visitors and New Zealanders. New Zealand food was fresh and tasty, with no

need to bow to any other country’s cuisine, he said. Through the campaign, the image of New Zealand food could be heightened, the quality of its presentation improved, and visitors helped to appreciate it.

“It is time for us to awaken to a New Zealand identity in cuisine,” Mr Goff said.

There was no need for New Zealand food to be disguised under the

names of other national cuisines; over recent years New Zealand wines had achieved world class standards and recognition, and that success and identity should be reflected in a cuisine that complemented the wine. He said the campaign was designed to encourage restaurants to place more emphasis on local foods and beverages, and to offer speciality New Zealand cuisine. It also aimed at en-

couraging co-operative marketing between the tourism industry and the providers of food and drink in restaurants.

More than 300 restaurants would highlight local fare in a way that would enhance the reputation of New Zealand foods and hospitality, Mr Goff said. The campaign would also eftcourage regions to develop a local cuisine that reflected local food and customs.