organicsnz.org.nz

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is the national umbrella organisation representing the organic sector in New Zealand.

Established to support and grow the country’s organic industry, OANZ works across policy, research, education, and sector coordination. Its mission is to advance organic agriculture, strengthen market development, and advocate for systems that support ecological farming, soil health, and sustainable food production.

Rather than certifying farms directly, OANZ focuses on connecting organisations, businesses, farmers, researchers, and policymakers across the organic ecosystem.

What Organics Aotearoa New Zealand Does

OANZ operates as a sector leadership and coordination body.

Its key activities include:

• Representing the organic sector in government policy discussions
• Publishing research and reports on the New Zealand organic industry
• Supporting collaboration between farmers, certifiers, researchers, and businesses
• Advocating for policies that support organic agriculture and sustainable food systems
• Promoting the growth of the domestic and export organic markets

One of its most widely referenced publications is the New Zealand Organic Market Report, which provides data on the size, growth, and trends within the organic sector.

Sector Coordination Role

OANZ plays an important role in helping coordinate the different parts of the organic ecosystem.

This includes collaboration with:

• certification bodies
• farmers and producers
• food businesses and brands
• government agencies
• research institutions
• advocacy organisations

Because the organic sector involves many independent organisations, OANZ helps provide a shared voice and strategic direction.

Research and Industry Insights

One of OANZ’s most significant contributions is collecting and publishing industry data and market insights.

Through its organic market reports and research publications, OANZ helps producers, policymakers, and businesses understand:

• the size and growth of the organic market in New Zealand
• consumer demand for organic products
• export opportunities
• emerging trends in organic production and consumption

These reports help guide policy decisions and investment in the organic sector.

Relationship to Other Organic Organisations in New Zealand

OANZ works alongside several organisations that each play different roles within the organic ecosystem.

Important partners and sector participants include:

• BioGro New Zealand
  The largest organic certification organisation in New Zealand.
• AsureQuality
  A certification provider supporting export-compliant organic standards.
• OrganicFarmNZ
  A grassroots certification scheme designed for small-scale growers.
• Soil & Health Association of New Zealand
  A long-standing organisation promoting organic food systems and environmental sustainability.

Within this ecosystem, OANZ acts as a coordinating body rather than a certifier, helping align the sector and represent its interests at a national level.

Who Organics Aotearoa New Zealand Is For

OANZ serves a broad range of stakeholders across the organic sector, including:

• organic farmers and growers
• food producers and brands
• certification organisations
• retailers and exporters
• researchers and academics
• policymakers and government agencies

Membership is open to individuals and organisations who support the development of organic food systems in New Zealand.

Limitations

Because OANZ functions as a sector organisation rather than a certifier, it does not:

• provide organic certification
• inspect farms or production systems
• manage compliance with organic standards

Producers seeking certification must work with organisations such as BioGro, AsureQuality, or OrganicFarmNZ.

Why It Matters

Organic agriculture in New Zealand involves many independent organisations working across certification, research, advocacy, and market development.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand helps bring these pieces together by providing sector leadership, research, and policy representation.

By coordinating industry voices and supporting evidence-based policy, OANZ plays a key role in shaping the long-term growth of the organic sector.

Website

https://organicsnz.org.nz

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