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Vice Mayor of Busan Cho Don-young, third from left, poses with board members and advisers of the Kiwi Chamber at the Kiwi Chamber Wine Festival at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Busan on Saturday. |
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| Lewis Patterson, chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea |
The 5th Kiwi Chamber New Zealand Wine Festival got off to a great start at the picturesque Waterfall Garden of the Grand Hyatt Seoul on May 18 with guests numbering over 450 people in attendance.
With entertainment provided by live band, One Drop East, and a selection of international foods and deserts, the afternoon was a chance to sample a fine selection of wines.
The afternoons entertainment also included a raffle draw with gifts of wine.
Presenting some of the prizes was Lewis Patterson, chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea (Kiwi Chamber).
The Korea Times spoke with him with regards to the role of Kiwi Chamber through these and other activities.
Q: What does the Kiwi Chamber hope to achieve through these events?
A: To provide an opportunity for Koreans (and of course expats) to experience what New Zealand has to offer in terms of wine, but also food. To create a fun environment where Koreans and New Zealanders can mix and share views. People to people links.
Q: This is the fifth wine festival in Seoul and the first in Busan. Why Busan?
A: This part of an objective to reach out to other regions. There are people with links to New Zealand all over Korea. Busan in particular is key trading hub that sees a huge amount of New Zealand product shipped through it. The wider Busan region has a population larger than New Zealand itself and there are also a number of expats in the region who we are sure will be very keen to make the most of this type of event.
Q: What are some of the major functions of Kiwi Chamber in Korea?
A: There are multiple roles including the board and wider membership made up of a broad mix of people with strong links to New Zealand, and also strong networks in the business community. To work together to maximize the effectiveness of New Zealand companies looking at growing in Korea. We can also help Korean companies make the most of a significant market in New Zealand.
Patterson went on to explain the need to build on strong cultural and personal links.
The wines featured included a broad representation from New Zealand's top wineries including Babich, Boreham Wood, Clark Estate, Clearview Estate, Clos Henri, Cloudy Bay, Forrest, Geourges Michel, Greyrock, Hunters Wines, Jackson Estate, Kim Crawford, Kumeu River, Mahi, Mission Estate, Mount Nelson, Ohau Vineyards, Rapaura Springs, Sherwood, Sileni, Two Rivers, Villa Maria, Vinoptima, Estate, Vynfields, Wooing Tree and Yealands.
The second part of the festival will be at the Park Hyatt Busan on May 25, where it will be held in the Drawing Room, located on the 33rd floor with a stunning view of Gwangan Bridge and the marina from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets are 90,000 won for non-members and 75,000 won for Kiwi Chamber and DINE@HYATT members,
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