New Zealander to head OIV
New Zealander Dr John Barker has been elected as the new Director General of The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
The OIV is an intergovernmental organisation that issues recommendations on technical and scientific aspects of viticulture and winemaking. It has 49 Member States and 17 Observers. In 100 years of the OIV, there has never been a Director General from a Southern Hemisphere country. Dr Barker will hold the position from 2024-2028.
In announcing the result, the OIV said that 46 out of 47 eligible Member States had voted for Dr Barker. He will start his mandate in January 2024, the “International Year of Vine and Wine” and when the organisation celebrates its centenary.
Dr Barker has had a long involvement with the OIV, attending his first OIV meeting in 2000 while researching his PhD thesis on the international regulation of the wine sector. He was appointed an Expert Delegate for New Zealand in 2004 and has actively participated in the OIV for 17 years in various roles, including President, Law and Economy Commission.
He currently runs his own legal and consulting practice, focused primarily on the wine sector and regulation in the international wine industry. He was formerly NZ Winegrower’s General Counsel and General Manager Advocacy from 2004 to 2014.
CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers, Philip Gregan, says it is a fantastic achievement. “Dr Barker is an outstanding New Zealander and has a deep appreciation of the history and traditions of the global vine and wine sector, but also recognises the current opportunities and challenges that our industry is experiencing today.
“He has the vision and the commitment to grow and strengthen the OIV, to ensure that it effectively addresses the key issues facing the sector, both now and in the future. We extend our thanks to both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Agriculture for their support.”
Dr John Barker said “I am very honoured to have been elected as Director General of the OIV, and I thank the New Zealand Government and New Zealand Winegrowers for their support. I believe that it is essential for the global wine sector to have a modern, effective and representative international organisation, and I look forward to working together on the opportunities and challenges facing our industry like the digital economy, climate change and the role of wine in society.”
