We would like to welcome Nicci Armour, Advocacy Manager for Wine Marlborough, to the Budge Street campus.
Nicci has spent her career problem-solving for people and communities: first as a scientist, then in a housing start-up, and prior to landing in Marlborough she established an innovation and research consultancy in the Bay of Plenty’s horticulture sector.
Originally from a farm in Southland, and then on to Queenstown, Nicci’s wine experience started in Central Otago. Her journey over the last 20 years traversed Hong Kong, Brisbane, Tauranga. Nicci is keen to dig deep with Wine Marlborough’s members and understand how she can really make a difference.
In a Q&A we asked Nicci about her role and what difference it will make to the industry. You can read the full story here. (link here to the website article)
We asked Nicci to tell us a little about her role:
The advocacy manager role sits at the core of the parts of Wine Marlborough’s strategy to protect, grow, and educate our members and region, Nicci told us.
“In general, the role is responsible for forecasting and research, championing our members and representing their rights and interests, and highlighting key issues and supporting member understanding of these. Practical examples include: forecasting wine industry growth in Marlborough as part of the Growth Forecast, mapping workforce development, advocating for industry in local government plans and the implementation of national policies, and supporting our workforce’s resilience and wellbeing. One of the most critical parts of the role is uniting key stakeholders and working closely with them to address many of these challenges.”
Q: How will it make a difference to industry/Marlborough?
A: “In essence, the advocacy role helps protect and support the industry’s social license to operate. To do this, I can’t simply talk a good talk, but must represent and share industry’s genuine efforts to operate in responsible and sustainable ways. Fortunately, Marlborough has plenty of examples, but we also have room for improvement. One way the advocacy role will make a difference to industry and Marlborough is by understanding where the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability can be strengthened across Marlborough’s wine industry and helping guide improvements.“
“This is a multi-stakeholder effort and the advocacy manager works at the nexus of this to support change that enables and empowers Marlborough’s members. The advocacy manager helps understand the collective impact of our industry and scans the horizon to help us prepare for what’s ahead. Ideally the role will support our industry work in ways that are even better for our people, our community, and the businesses within it.”
Q: What do you like about working at the MRC campus?
A: “The wonderful collection of diverse people and organisations—this is such terrific, collegial hub of all things wine and it’s great to be part of it.”