Dylan Firth, the Brewers Association executive director, told the Herald that relief was set to be extended to $400,000 a year.<\/p>\n
He said Kiwi winemakers already benefited from a similar excise relief in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you were to apply the same logic, brewers and distillers would also get a rebate.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said it could be argued that the principles underpinning the New Zealand-Australia Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement made it right for Kiwi brewers to get the rebate.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand could have a footing to advocate for it and that would be for Mfat [Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade] to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Firth said Australia also offered a specific excise rate for kegs.<\/p>\n
That rate was lower than for non-keg beer and aimed at supporting the hospitality industry, he said.<\/p>\n
In Australia, the Albanese Government in March said it would freeze the draught beer excise rate for two years.<\/p>\n
The Australian Government said that would take pressure off beer prices in pubs, clubs and other venues, and support businesses, regional tourism and customers.<\/p>\n
Firth said all these steps gave Australian brewers advantages their Kiwi counterparts did not have.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can be quite hard to break into.\u201d<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand told the Herald it offered New Zealand beers, wines and spirits in its lounges and on flights.<\/p>\n
For its lounges across the Tasman, the airline said, it partnered with an Australian distributor to provide beverages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile they don\u2019t currently supply our New Zealand beer partners, we are working with them to see some options available in Australian lounges in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re committed to championing local producers and sharing a taste of Aotearoa with travellers from around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe currently have a range of New Zealand beers, including Parrotdog, Panhead, Speight\u2019s, Emerson\u2019s, and Steinlager, both onboard and in our New Zealand and Pacific Island lounges.\u201d<\/p>\n
The airline today also said it had partnered with Parrotdog to create a pale ale called Dash-hound.<\/p>\n