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  • NZ Poet Laureate becomes Commonwealth Laureate

    By

    For the first time in its 75-year history, the Commonwealth of Nations has a Poet Laureate. 
    Te Mata Estate founded the NZ laureate position in 1996.

    Posted on 30/06/2025 by Commonwealth Foundation

    Award-winning Pacific writer Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh ONZM, FRSNZ has been appointed by the Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, to the brand-new, two-year post, placing creative expression at the heart of the Commonwealth’s work.

    Selina Tusitala Marsh is the history-making first-ever Commonwealth Poet Laureate and will serve in this role until 31 May 2027. As Poet Laureate, Marsh will work on behalf of the entire Commonwealth family, connecting its 2.7 billion citizens through poetry. She will craft original poems for flagship Commonwealth events including Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth People’s Forum, and Ministerial and Heads of Government Meetings. 

    Professor Marsh will also advise on the Commonwealth Foundation’s creative programming—as the principal agency for Commonwealth culture—and will appear in person at the Commonwealth People’s Forum and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua & Barbuda in 2026.

    Read the Commonwealth Poet Laureate’s Inaugural poem ‘Uncommon Banyan’

    Amplifying the people’s voice through art 

    From performing for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey to mentoring new writers across the Pacific, Marsh has demonstrated how poetry can travel from palace to village hall—and back again—carrying urgent conversations about identity, climate justice, and belonging. Her appointment signals a major step in the Foundation’s drive to ‘turn supporters into change-makers’ by connecting hearts, challenging assumptions, and awaken imaginations through creativity and storytelling.  

    Selina Tusitala Marsh on her appointment 

    ‘I am deeply honoured to accept this role as the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate. In Samoan, we say “O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota” – “The more torches we have, the more fish we can catch”. Poetry is our torch, illuminating paths between our diverse cultures and histories.’

    ‘The Māori proverb from Aotearoa New Zealand goes “He toi whakairo, he mana tangata” – “Where there is artistic excellence, there is human dignity.” This profound truth guides my vision for this role. Through the elevation of our creative voices, we affirm our shared humanity across the Commonwealth. When we honour the artistry within our communities— whether it flows from Samoa, my mother’s island, or New Zealand, where I was born and grew up—we recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person whose story deserves to be told.’

    ‘When Her Majesty charged me with fostering unity through verse in 2016, I felt the weight and wonder of words that bridge worlds. Today, I accept this torch with alofa (love) and renewed commitment to amplify the voices that heal, challenge, and unite our Commonwealth family. Together, we will kindle more torches, casting light on the stories that connect us all, celebrating the artistic excellence that affirms our collective human dignity.’

    Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO, Director-General, Commonwealth Foundation 

    ‘It is through poetry that we can learn best about ourselves and each other. Poetry helps us make sense of our fragile world. It is the language of love and dreams, the language of despair and desire, of protest and rebellion. At the Commonwealth, we have come to understand that poetry – indeed creativity in all its forms – is not an embellishment of the Commonwealth story—it is a catalyst for justice, understanding, and hope. Selina Tusitala Marsh embodies that truth. Her poetry travels effortlessly from the smallest community to the global stage: illuminating the concerns and aspirations of our 2.7 billion citizens and challenging all of us to listen more closely. There could be no finer inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.’ 

    Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General 

    ‘It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the first Commonwealth poet laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh, and applaud the Commonwealth Foundation for this bold initiative. Our boundless appreciation for culture, in all its diversity and richness, is one of the things that bind us together as people of the Commonwealth. Aside from being entertaining, art helps to illuminate important issues, galvanise action, nurtures inclusive societies, offers economic opportunity and preserves our identities. We must celebrate its importance.’

    Professor Tusitala Marsh with Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Dr Anne T. Gallagher AO at the Commonwealth Headquarters in Marlborough House, London

    About Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh 

    Marsh’s connection with the Commonwealth dates back to 2016, when she recited one of her poems at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. Most recently, she co-hosted the Commonwealth People’s Forum in Samoa.

    Marsh previously served as New Zealand Poet Laureate from 2017 to 2019. She has published three award-winning collections of poetry and created the bestselling graphic memoir series Mophead, which swept New Zealand’s book awards in 2020, including the prestigious Margaret Mahy Book of the Year.  Marsh was the first Pacific Islander to earn a PhD in English from the University of Auckland, where she now lectures in Pacific Poetry and Creative Writing and co-directs the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, championing arts-led approaches to justice, health, and well-being. 

    • Background: Samoan, Tuvaluan, English, Scottish, and French heritage; born in Auckland, 1971. 

    • Publications: Three acclaimed poetry collections (Fast Talking PI, Dark Sparring, Tightrope) and the multi-award-winning graphic memoir series Mophead. 

    • Honours: Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2019); Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (2019). en.wikipedia.org 

    • Performance highlights: Commonwealth Day Service (2016); Poetry Parnassus at the London Olympics (2012). poetryarchive.org 

    Download a full biography and pictures of Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh here.

    About the Commonwealth Foundation 

    The Commonwealth Foundation is one of the three intergovernmental pillars of the Commonwealth of Nations, explicitly mandated by its member countries to advance the interests of Commonwealth civil society. Upholding a firm commitment to the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth, the Foundation seeks to nurture the growth of vibrant and free societies: championing the active and constructive participation of people in all aspects of governance. 

    Contact: Leo Kiss, Communications Manager, Commonwealth Foundation – [email protected]

  • Beyond Biodynamics

    By

    At Te Mata Estate we do use organic and biodynamic techniques, alongside traditional winemaking. We’re also known for regenerative and precision viticulture.

    For us it’s a ‘toolkit’ approach we use – one where we have to see the results in the glass, This time of year our preparations are made up.

    In this picture viticulturist Brenton O’Riley shows new vineyard staff our process.

     

    Images courtesy of Te Mata Estate Vineyard Manager @carlgundersen

     

  • Te Mata in the 2025 Top Wineries

    By

    Amazing to be recognised again among NZ’s Top Wineries for 2025!

    Congratulations to our team! This achievement – published by @therealrvw – reflects a profound amount of work. We’re proud be rising through the ranks, building on what we do everyday.

    Link to the full 2025 list here.

    All our current releases are available here.

    Cape Crest 2023 is available now

  • Coleraine as Investment Class

    By

    ‘Aotearoa produces premium wine that tops the award charts globally. The country’s cool climate and temperate weather conditions are optimal for growing grapes, allowing for the production of distinct flavour profiles and artisanal high quality.

    For this reason, many wine enthusiasts will have the first of March pencilled in their calendars, and quite rightly so, as it is the annual release of Te Mata Estate’s flagship Coleraine.

    This year, the vineyard is releasing its much-anticipated 2021 vintage. In celebration, we delve deeper into why this wine is the perfect addition to your cellar. The secondary market for high-quality wines has proliferated in the last five years as collectors seek the perfect drop to drink or cellar. Over the last decade, the most sought-after wines have been those from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne.

    However, New Zealand has been hot on the headliners’ heels, achieving increased global recognition and value.   All Coleraine vintages are seeing huge demand, especially those from the 1980s. Production of these wines is finite, creating a bespoke and rare offering.

    Demand for Te Mata is evident as Webb’s has seen price increases first-hand.

    In Feb 2021, Webb’s sold a single bottle of 1982 Coleraine, the first ever vintage of Te Mata Estates flagship label, for $355. Just one month later, $888 was realised for the same vintage. Later that year, a higher price of $948 was achieved.

    Later vintages have also seen incredible value increases, further reiterating the Te Mata Estate Coleraine as a niche investment for your cellar. In January this year, a new record was set for the 1988 vintage, sold at $1,224. While these records stand out dramatically, acquiring Coleraine for your cellar can be obtainable with the average price for a bottle at Webb’s sitting at just over $200.

    The new release of the 2021 vintage will be presented at Webb’s for $140, setting you up for potential growth in New Zealand flagship wine. Te Mata Estates’ consistency and quality hold them front of mind for any wine lover in New Zealand and, increasingly, abroad.

    If you want to learn more about Te Mata Estate Coleraine or are thinking of bringing your bottles to market, contact our specialists today for an obligation-free appraisal.

     

     

  • ‘Vive la Difference!’

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    Modern Te Mata Estate is led by CEO Nick Buck and Senior Winemaker Phil Brodie (both pictured below), who oversee our approach to winemaking.

     

    Read an insight from former Te Mata Estate Chairman John Buck (CNZM for Services to Wine and the Arts) on why the estate’s meticulous method is so distinctive:

     

    What makes a wine great? I’d suggest that what makes any wine great is also what makes them unique.

     

    How can you compare a Petrus, predominantly a merlot from the right bank of Bordeaux, to a Latour, predominantly a cabernet sauvignon from the left bank?

     

    These wines are different blends and, accordingly, different blends emerge from different soils. The varietals that suit the vineyard best will, in turn, create wine components that can be blended – not to a formula, but differently each year.

     

    Technical spaces for red wine specialisation – like a cuverie – improve the variety of ferments that can be individually developed and the control that can be exercised around their care.

     

    At Te Mata Estate we hand pick and then sort the fruit using the Armbruster system of de-stemming and grading, followed by another further round of hand sorting. We have 34 separate, small tanks available to us, and therefore over 68 batch ferments are possible in total.

     

    We then have total temperature control throughout our fermentation and barrel ageing. The components are further developed in oak with topping, and three-monthly racking, before being finally blended – the crucial moment where the final wine is ‘framed’ according to what makes the best totality.

     

    In composing our wines this way at Te Mata Estate our aim to use this ‘best-in-the-world’ model, rather than just a New Zealand model.

     

    It’s a method based on what makes great wine great, and it takes a team of skilled operators working together to achieve it.

     

    People who know us well look at Te Mata Estate differently, because we approach winemaking differently. 

     

    Yes, it is about equipment, fruit quality, precision winemaking, and the right staff.

     

    But ultimately, it’s about the ability to create a wine that speaks honestly of our specifically-selected vineyards and our Hawkes Bay environment.

    – April 2025

     

     

    Photo credits: Carl Gunderson for the image of our winemakers and press, M2 Magazine Ltd for the image of Nick Buck, and Richard Brimer for the images of Phil Brodie in the Te Mata Estate cellar and John Buck CMNZ.

     

     

  • Five Stars for Coleraine ’23

    By

    The reviews are in. And the reviews are superb!

    (Updated March 2025)

     

    Coleraine ’23 is available here.

     

    5 Stars – Michael Cooper

    ‘Breed, rather than brute power, is the hallmark of Coleraine, estate-grown in the Havelock North Hills and matured in French oak barriques, predominantly new. This notably graceful red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (80%), merlot (15%) and cabernet franc (5%). Dark and purple-flushed, it is mouthfilling with dense, well-ripened blackcurrent, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity, and a finely structured, very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2030+ (13.5% alc/vol).’

     

    95+ Points – Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

    ‘I’ve tasted every vintage of Coleraine ever made. The acid line in this wine puts me in mind of the 2021. Blackcurrant, essence of Cabernet thing here, dried herbs (thyme) and nori, tobacco, pencil, liquorice/aniseed … with a very long finish. Wonderful perfume. I’m spending a lot of time thinking about this wine, about where it will go, and where it sits in the pantheon of Te Mata Coleraine, and the upshot is, ‘up’.’

     

    98 Points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

    ‘The stunning bouquet reveals blackcurrant, dark plum, almond, cocoa, cake spice, and rich floral aromas with a hint of tobacco. It’s engaging and captivating and draws you in. The palate exhibits immense concentration and presence, superbly enhanced by silky texture and layers of chalky tannins. The acidity is perfectly pitched and provides freshness to this long-living wine. A wine of meticulous precision and undeniable sophistication. At its best: 2033 to 2053.’
     

     

     

  • Available Now – For a Limited Time

    By

    In the realm of Te Mata, Coleraine is the crowning jewel – a cabernet sauvignon that embodies the essence of the variety’s title: The King of Grapes.

     

     

    The result of an unprecedented vintage, Coleraine ’23 is a remarkable fine wine. You can access the full techinical Vintage Report here.

     

     

     

    The illustrious 2023, reigns supreme with a level of expression and finesse as robust as its lineage.A stately example of coastal cabernet, the Coleraine ’23 harmonizes intricate varietal notes with an elegant structureand a power that feels both balanced and commanding.

    At its core lies the indomitable characteristics of cabernet –the grape upon which Coleraine’s reign has always been built.Te Mata’s cabernet collection, sourced from seven noble selections across 24 vineyard parcels, is majestic in theColeraine ’23 blend, commanding a regal 80% of the composition.

    Joined by 15% merlot and a touch of 5% cabernet franc, this royal assembly reflects the multitude of soil types and vineyard sites that define oursub-regions. Coleraine is New Zealand’s greatest red wine – a true returning king in every sense.

     

    THE BEST NEW ZEALAND WINES OF 2024 – #1 COLERAINE IS OFTEN CONSIDERED NEW ZEALAND’S ‘FIRST GROWTH’, COLERAINE IS EASILY THE ESTATE’S MOSTFAMOUS AND INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE WINE. AT US$92 (NZ$160), AN EXTRAORDINARY PRICE FORONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S – AND THE WORLD’S – GREATEST WINES.COLERAINE IS, INDEED, NEW ZEALAND’S BEST WINE.- DON KAVANAGH, WINE SEARCHER

    COLERAINE IS NEW ZEALAND’S MOST ICONIC RED WINE.IT HAS EARNED THAT STATUS SINCE 1982.- BOB CAMPBELL MW

    EVERY BIT NEW ZEALAND’S ‘FIRST GROWTH’, WITH A REPUTATION FORUNWAVERING CONSISTENCY. JUST GLORY.- ANDREW GRAHAM, AUSTRALIAN WINE REVIEW

    THE LEGENDARY CABERNET SAUVIGNON AND MERLOT BLEND OF NEW ZEALAND.NEW ZEALAND’S SASSICAIA.- JAMES SUCKLING, JAMESSUCKLING.COM

    COLERAINE FROM TE MATA IS NEW ZEALAND’S GREATEST CABERNET BLEND … EVERY 1% PAYS OFF,AND THAT IS THE DEFINING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GOOD ESTATE AND A GREAT ONE.- ERIN LARKIN, ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE

    Coleraine ’23 is available here.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Coleraine Leads The Bidding’

    By

    ‘The recent pandemic reaction closed borders all over the world removing global travel as an outlet option for discretionary income. This has meant people with means have had to look elsewhere for something to spend the money they had budgeted for experiential consumption as opposed to those funds earmarked for developing more purely financial returns. 

    Of course, they could have just tweaked their budgets to jam yet more cash into their commercial property or crypto currency portfolios but, seeing as they had already mentally put this money aside for other purposes, many didn’t automatically do this. Instead, they allowed themselves to wander into verdant green investment fields – just for fun, as a defiant riposte to having the joys of exploring a Cairo rug market on a Saturday morning snatched away from them.

    Two of the categories to benefit most from this investment rambling have been the respective worlds of art and wine:

    Art vs Wine

    Everyone knows the benefits of art investment can be stupendous; news outlets seem to delight in reporting the latest ‘ridiculous’ sums paid for some doodle created by Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci or, especially of late, Vincent Van Gogh. Yet it hasn’t just been the gallery headliners who have cashed in during the pandemic, anecdotally local artists in places like the Kapiti Coast and Waiheke Island have never had it so good as investors have flocked in pushing both prices and turnover up.

    But art investment does have a couple of not-insignificant drawbacks; the somewhat macabre practice of waiting for the artists themselves to die before seeing a major value jump; and the fact that it isn’t very experiential. Aside from that weird craze of bicycle eating a few years ago, consuming your art investment has never really caught on. (Although you can never discount that completely as it appears some people will do absolutely anything to gain followers on TikTok!)

    On the other hand, wine investment offers the delicious option of actually drinking your assets in future should you choose to do so. This could be to celebrate a momentous occasion such as a daughter’s wedding or to impress – and hopefully win new/continued business from – important and highly valued clients.

    Te Mata Coleraine

    Air New Zealand did the latter recently when they busted out two vertical collections – i.e., a bottle of every vintage from 1982 until the present – of Te Mata Estate’s iconic Coleraine wine at an exclusive tasting for international guests in both Australia and New Zealand. The company had bought the wine assemblages at a 2016 auction at Mossgreen Webb’s Auction House for $5,600 – or for around $195 a bottle. At the time this was both the largest single-wine collection and highest overall auction price for any New Zealand wine ever. 

    A mere year later this record went west however as Webb’s Auction House in Auckland notified Te Mata that their Coleraine ’07 was now fetching $204 per bottle. Soon after, Coleraine ’03 set yet another new record of $216 a bottle. 

    Of course, part of this regular increase in value is due to the exceptional quality of Te Mata Coleraine and the high esteem in which the wine is regarded internationally. Well-respected wine critics like Huon Hooke of Australia’s The Real Review have described Coleraine as ‘a great wine from the very first vintage’ while Linda Murphy wrote: ‘Te Mata Estate’s Coleraine is a New Zealand national treasure.’ The Coleraine’s reputation as New Zealand’s only repeatedly 100 Point scoring wine has also seen it regularly listed in James Suckling’s ‘Top 50 Wines of the World.’

    Yet more records

    But the true impact of the last two years or so of pandemic-instigated wine investment can be seen in the massive step up in value from those auction prices only a few years ago to more contemporary times. In early 2021, Webb’s Auction House made ‘another record-breaking sale’ for Te Mata wines this time including aged Awatea, Elston, Cape Crest and Zara Viognier as well as Coleraine. But by the end of last year, Coleraine was at it again with one of the first ever 1982 vintages going for a staggering $948. Considering that the original bottle had been sold on the shelves for only $15 – it seems to have proved a pretty good investment!

    Obviously, with returns like that, wine investment is here to stay and it also seems to be fast becoming the new norm as a secondary market fundraiser too. Another complete vertical Coleraine collection was bought for $19,000 in 2018 by Nick Stewart of Stewart Financial Group who then promptly donated it to charity. This collection is about to go to auction now with all proceeds earmarked to go to the Cranford Hospice and, going by the current trajectory, they should expect a very tidy windfall indeed.

    The future of discretionary income investment?

    So now, even though the borders are reopening across the globe, universal shortages in flights, cabin and ground crew staff have meant that international travel has a long way to go yet to reach the user-friendly levels we all enjoyed pre-Covid. Until these issues are rectified, perhaps it might be prudent to consider using your potential discretionary income on wine investment rather than book air tickets that could get cancelled again and again due to staff shortages here, there and everywhere. And, in the unlikely event that your wine doesn’t perform as well as you hoped, you can always just throw a great big party to drink it all and damn the torpedoes. Talk about an experiential win/win!’

     

  • Celebrating Sustainability

    By

    This year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme.

    We are proud to see its success. Te Mata as one of the five wineries to spearheaded by five wineries this in the late 20th century and the first to have vineyards and winery accredited under the system.

    “The industry leaders were passionate and innovative. They could see the opportunities for an export-focused wine industry. They knew the importance of sustainability to ensure New Zealand wine would be internationally renowned for its premium reputation. They also believed the way forward was to unite winegrowers and winemakers. Working together would ensure success.” – Fabian Yukich, chair of New Zealand Winegrowers.

     

     

    SWNZ has assumed a role of major importance in the nation’s burgeoning wine industry, with 96% of vineyards now certified as sustainably farmed.

    The NZ Winegrowers body also highlights that exports of New Zealand wine exceeded $2b in value in 2024 – a significant gain over the 2002 figure of $246m per annum – with that growth being underpinned by the industry’s sustainable approach. 

    The SWNZ programme focuses on six key metrics: climate change, water, waste, plant protection, soil and people.

     

     

  • ‘On Investment and Ageing’ Bob Campbell MW

    By

    ‘Take for example Te Mata Estate Coleraine – this highly collectable red is snapped up every year it is released.’

    Want to age that bottle, but don’t know how to store it? Or for how long? This month in Kia Ora Magazine, Bob Campbell MW writes about ageing New Zealand reds and tasting an older Coleraine:

    ‘Anyone who has held on to a special wine for a long time faces the dilemma of when to open it. I was asked about this by a friend who had stored a magnum of Te Mata Estate Coleraine 2000 since he bought it 16 years ago. It is a robust blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc.

    My heart sank slightly when he told me he’d stored it in the garage. “It’s quite cool,” he added. Variable storage temperatures cause wines to leak past the cork allowing air to enter the bottle. You can get an idea of how well an old wine has been stored by standing the bottle upright and looking at the gap between the cork and wine level. If the gap is less than 10mm there’s every chance it will be fine. As the level drops so do your chance of tasting good wine.

    Corks vary considerably too and, as a result, so does the wine in each bottle. There was a possibility poor storage or a dodgy cork had allowed by friend’s Coleraine to spoil. I suggested the wine be opened and enjoyed as soon as possible. We set a date for dinner.

    There was an air of anticipation among the dinner guests. We could be tasting a great wine, but we might be sipping vinegar. The wine level was perfect, raising hopes. A crumbly cork had our host worried, but the cork chips were easily removed with a tea strainer.

    The wine was better than I’d dared to expect. Age had given it a silken texture. It was a peacock’s tail of flavours – delicate berry and floral characters with oriental spices, cigar box, old leather and a hint of nutty oak.

    Our latest Cellaring Guide is available online, as well as our recommended storage protocols…

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