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The OANZ delegation with Associate Agriculture Minister Mike Butterick.
OPINION: The time has come for the Government to back the organic sector.
It’s time to finalise the National Organic Standard, unlock export growth, implement a fair model for certification and support growers and producers wishing to transition into organics.
Last week the Government launched consultation on how to future-proof and grow the organic sector by ensuring there is a strong and modern regulatory framework.
New Zealand is introducing a national system to regulate organic products. The aim is to make organic claims more consistent, build consumer confidence, and give businesses clearer rules.
But as Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says, let’s not lose time debating whether organics works.
The time has come match policy with performance, to back the sector that is delivering economic growth, environmental restoration, and social resilience.
In just four years, the value of New Zealand’s organic sector has grown from NZ$723 million to $1.18 billion.
Exports now total $606.7 million, growing at more than twice the rate of total primary sector exports. Organic dairy and kiwifruit continue to lead the charge, but significant opportunities remain in organic wine, lamb, beef, wool, and horticulture. With targeted support, these product groups can generate higher value returns from the same land area, returns that are proven and recognised in key markets.
The global opportunity is enormous. Consumers in the US, Europe, China and across Asia Pacific are seeking food that is safe, healthy, traceable and ethically produced. These markets increasingly demand verified sustainability and organic certification offers that they can trust. The global organic food and beverage market is expected to reach US$650 billion by 2033.
As OANZ says, New Zealand is well positioned to meet that demand, but only if we act now to remove the policy and trade barriers holding us back.
Only 89,500 hectares, less than 1% of agricultural land, is certified organic.
Certification costs remain a significant burden, particularly for small and medium-sized producers. And the regulatory infrastructure is incomplete, with no finalised National Organic Standard.
The consultation launched last week is a good start. Working with organic sector stakeholders, the Government can turn the fledgling sector into a high-value, low-impact contributor to NZ’s future.
As the election heats up, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has launched its election scorecard designed to help voters wanting to support policies that grow organic and New Zealand's organic sector.
OPINION: The stats speak for themselves.
OPINION: David Seymour and James Meager's plan to make it easier for farmers and orchardists to operate drones can best be described a 'courageous' move.
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) spent two days in Wellington last week meeting political parties and key stakeholders to press the case for a National Organic Policy and dedicated investment.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
