Tobacco

Manufacture: In 1962–63 four factories manufactured cigarettes and tobacco at Auckland, Napier, Lower Hutt, and Wellington. In April 1964 there were only two factories – one at Napier and one at Lower Hutt. By regulation, 30 per cent of the tobacco leaf processed must be of New Zealand origin, but for some years the manufacturers have exceeded this percentage. In 1962–63, 50 per cent of the leaf was grown in New Zealand. The neutral New Zealand leaf is well suited to blending with imported tobacco. The value of the output, excluding excise duty, is over £8.9 million.