Foley Wines wins approval to cut Mt Difficulty export targets after market downturn

Reporter & Desk Editor - Auckland·NZ Herald·12 Sep, 2026 12:00 AM5 mins to read‌A company majority-owned by American billionaire William Foley blamed adverse economic conditions and the cost-of-living crisis for cutting wine export targets. Photo / Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nzAn American billionaire’s luxury wine firm was allowed to cut government-imposed export targets and delay development plans at its Central Otago vineyard after blaming the cost-of-living crisis, recession and Trump tariffs for making the promises “economically unviable”. Foley Wines was granted consent in 2018 to acquire 180ha of sensitive