New Zealand converter supports endangered dolphin awareness campaign

New Zealand converter Rapid Labels has joined a community effort to raise awareness and funds for an endangered dolphin.

Unique to New Zealand’s coast, Hector’s Dolphins are one of the world’s smallest marine mammals, weighing just 50kg. Numbers have plummeted from 30,000 in the early 1970s to 7,200 today, while scientists estimate three are killed each week in commercial fishing nets.

The ‘Message in a Bottle’ campaign aims to raise NZ$50,000 for the World Wildlife Fund’s work to save them.  

The campaign began last year with a donation of three tons of Pinot Gris grapes from Central Otago wineries. Rapid Labels agreed to print the label for no charge, with other businesses offering free design, artwork, bottles and packaging.  

The labels are printed on Rapid’s ‘Limestone’ laid wine stock using two colors and a gloss highbuild varnish plus moisture protection.

‘Rapid Labels considers it a privilege to be involved in the Message in a Bottle campaign,’ said general manager Greg Howell. ‘We are unconditional supporters and hope to be producing labels for future bottlings.’

Bottles, released for sale on 21 September, cost NZ$30 ($21). ‘We are hoping that the success of the initial Pinot Gris release will grow into something with momentum,’ Howell added.

The wine can be ordered online from https://supersecure.co.nz/users/63/order.htm