Auckland lawyer John Barker has been nominated by the New Zealand Government for the position of Director General of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.

The OIV is an intergovernmental organisation which issues recommendations on viticulture and winemaking practices. It has 46 Member States and 13 Observers.

Dr Barker was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in February 1993 and is Principal of John Barker Law, which specialises in offering strategic legal and policy expertise to the food and beverage sector with a special emphasis on wine and other alcoholic beverages.

He has long-standing experience as New Zealand Winegrowers’ General Counsel, and has held several roles in the OIV – including the Presidency of the OIV’s Law and Economy Commission.  

The successful candidate will take up the position in January 2019.