The history of industrialised agriculture is a history of science penetrating ever deeper into the realm of nature with an economic focus of – how do I extract more from the productive capacity of nature at the lowest cost possible. Synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides and herbicides are the outcomes of a mechanistic scientific manipulation of nature and genetic technology is the latest and a deeper exploitation of nature, all of which come with the accompanying rhetoric of the wonderful benefits and the solving of problems like climate change. Earlier, it was about feeding the world be ..read more

Yuriy Soshnikov, MD of TranzAlpine Honey receiving the Brand of the Year Award in 2023. “Brand of the Year last year was the most important award we could wish for. It was highlight of the year for the TranzAlpine team and everyone is so proud of the achievement. Winning this award helped us to boost our organic message across the world and increase market opportunities.” — Yuriy Soshnikov - MD TranzAlpine Honey The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand announced that the next OrganicNZ Awards will take place on May 3, 2024, at the Boatshed, Wellington — as part of Organic Week Aotearo ..read more

Hello, and welcome to the February edition of the Buzz, your monthly dose of news from the Organic Sector. We hope your new year is off to a good start; I am feeling upbeat and hope you are, too. The OANZ board would like to express our gratitude for your support in 2023. As we roll into 2024, we will not be slowing down. The journey towards an Organic Aotearoa continues, fuelled by the collective vision of OANZ and the Organic Sector. OANZ will focus on several projects this year, firstly on organic regulations and standards. This new legislation will be a significant milestone for the O ..read more

Register Now Join us live via Zoom: Date: 15 February 2024 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM NZT Did you know that in 2024, the biodynamic movement will celebrate its 100th anniversary? For our February Lunch and Learn webinar, we've invited Biodynamic NZ Council members Christine Moginie and Mark Longworth to explain in simple terms what biodynamics is, why you might use the preparations, and how they can enhance organic, permaculture, Hua Parakore, food forest, and no-dig growing systems. Christine and Mark will share their knowledge and experience of working with biodynamic systems in Australia and Ne ..read more

OANZ member Fertco was founded in 1999 by a group of farmers wanting to deliver products with a ‘softer’ impact on the environment and to deliver a more personalised level of service to fellow farmers. We talked to the commercial manager, Chris Lees, about Fertco’s range of products and how they are helping farmers grow more whilst lessening their impact on the environment. Can you tell us more about the Fertco philosophy?Yes, as you say, the Fertco founders were looking for a new approach to the traditional cooperative model they had been engaged with for over a generation. So, ‘softer’ prod ..read more

Organic farming, a harmonious dance between humanity and nature, has been practised for thousands of years. This regenerative agricultural practice goes beyond planting seeds; it's a philosophy that embraces the interconnectedness of all living things. Let's embark on a journey through time to uncover the roots and evolution of organic farming. Ancient Wisdom The origins of organic farming can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Around 12,000 years ago, a massive cultural shift happened that would change the course of history. Humans who previously subsisted by hunting and gathering real ..read more

Meri Kirihimete From all of us at Organics Aotearoa New Zealand As we bid farewell to 2023, we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported our work this past year. Your passion for organics as a solution to the world's current environmental and health crises keeps this community strong. Let's revisit the highlights of our journey together over the past 365 days. ORGANIC MILESTONES: A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE The pinnacle of the year was the passing of the Organic Products and Production Bill on April 5, 2023. Over a decade in the making, this landmark legislation sets standards that wi ..read more

Hello, and welcome to the December edition of The BUZZ, your monthly dose of news from the Organic Sector. As we transition into the warmer seasons, it's a pleasure to welcome a time of growth and renewed focus on the benefits of organic living. Now that the elections are behind us, we have an opportunity to collaborate with the new government and continue our work advocating for an organic Aotearoa New Zealand. Nine cabinet ministers, associate ministers or ministers outside cabinet will look after the affairs of the primary sector and its related interests. Thankfully, we have advocates ..read more

Leading New Zealand organic honey producers, TranzAlpine Honey, give us the low down. Certified organic honey vs conventional, commercially produced honey. I mean, it’s all pretty much the same right? In short, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are massive differences between the $5 jar and the $50 jar and you may be surprised to learn that it has very little to do with just the price. And it is not about fancy packaging or clever marketing either. In fact, the reality is that the cost of the cheaper, commercially produced version is far greater than we realise. Certified organic ..read more

The Government is exploring whether a biodiversity credit system could help to incentivise the protection and restoration of native wildlife in Aotearoa New Zealand. A biodiversity credit system would help to conserve habitats and species by enabling landowners, who protect and restore native wildlife to earn credits for their actions. Harnessing Biodiversity Credits for People and Planet At OANZ, we believe that by enhancing biodiversity, especially on farms, we can create more resilient food systems that are better equipped to handle the various challenges posed by environmental changes, ec ..read more