‘Great food’ in New Zealand

Press, 27 January 1988, Page 6

‘Great food’ in New Zealand

PA Wellington The Taste New Zealand Campaign chairman, Neil Plimmer, has hit back at campaign critics who say high quality New Zealand food is exported and not available for local restaurants.

Mr Plimmer said restaurateurs whose comments were reported missed the point of the campaign.

“There is great food available in New Zealand. There are only certain lines of food where the best is exported. There is plenty of very good food in this country,” he said. Tony Astie of Antoine’s Restaurant in Parnell, Auckland, said he had lost interest in community spirit.

“We can’t get it... and the Government doesn’t help us,” he said.

Mr Plimmer said the campaign attracted tourists’ interests in New Zealand food.

“If tourists sample the good food available here they will buy it and be aware of it when they return to their own country,” he said. The Tourist Industry Federation’s chief executive, Tony Staniford, was also critical of the restaurateurs’ comments.

“If, as the restaurateurs say, the great food is unavailable, then what do they presently serve their customers,” he said. The federation was horrified at the negative reaction.