Growing investment by Chinese in NZ wine industry

China's increasing wine consumption is seeing China-based New Zealanders invest in the local industry.

New Zealand Wine Growers chief executive Philip Gregan says it's also because of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

"People who are living here or have a strong association with New Zealand know that New Zealand produces world class wine and are also aware of the opportunity in the Chinese market," he says.

Mr Gregan says the growing investment follows the trend in Australia.

He says there are several reasons for it in New Zealand.

"That seems to reflect the growing interest in wine in the China market but also the free trade agreement between New Zealand and China," he says.

Mr Gregan says a lot of the interest has come from New Zealand-based Chinese.