The sixth annual New Zealand Spirits Awards is currently underway at Wellington's Wharewaka event centre, with over 480 entries being assessed by a panel of judges from New Zealand and Australia. This year, there are 485 entries, compared to 426 last year, indicating the continued growth and popularity of the spirits industry in New Zealand. The World Spirits Alliance Global Economic Contribution report highlights the significant economic impact of the spirits industry, with spirits contributing over $730 billion to global GDP in 2022. The report also reveals that consumers are willing to spend more on premium products, which is reflected in the increased number of entries in the New Zealand Spirits Awards. Gin entries dominate the awards, with 192 entries, showcasing the growing popularity of gin in the spirits market. New Zealand distillers have submitted 321 entries, while there are 163 entries from overseas [63b2b4f5].