National Organic Regulation Consultation Open – Have Your Say

There’s been significant progress on the development of New Zealand’s National Organic Regulation under the Organic Products and Production Act 2023. OANZ has been actively involved in shaping these changes, and we’re pleased to share the latest updates.

OANZ win on cost recovery
In April 2025, Cabinet approved consultation on MPI’s proposals to recover costs for services under the Act. OANZ led the development of an alternative all-operator levy model, which MPI has now accepted with minor amendments. This model is based on operator turnover and aims to ensure a fair and transparent approach for all operators.

Organic Notices: First tranche consultation

MPI has also released the first tranche of Organic Notices to supplement the Organic Standards and the Product and Production Regulations. These notices set out key requirements for operators, including:

  • Defined terms 

  • Prohibited procedures, organisms and products 

  • Records about inputs 

  • Identifying and storing inputs 

  • Duties relating to environmentally sensitive areas and biodiversity 

  • Managing waste and by-products 

  • Managing pests, weeds and disease 

  • Design, construction and use of facilities and production equipment 

  • Managing risks to product compliance with organic standard 

  • General sampling and testing 

  • Conversion 

  • Soil health and fertility 

  • Transport and storage 

  • Dispatching compliant products and receiving specified items 

  • Retail 

  • Packaging & products sold without packaging 

  • Technical requirements relating to: 

  • The production of plants, plant products and fungi 

  • Livestock 

  • Aquaculture 

  • Bees and bee products 

  • Processed products 

  • Split or parallel production and processing 

This tranche of consultation closes on 5 December 2025.

Webinars to support submissions

To help operators understand the draft notice content and prepare submissions, MPI is running a series of Q&A webinars. Click the links below to register.

Q+A Apiary - Tue 18 Nov at 3 pm

Q+A Livestock - Thurs 20 Nov at 10 am

Q+A Processed Products - Mon 24 Nov at 3 pm

Q+A Plants, Fungi, and Wild Harvest - Fri 28 Nov at 9 am

These sessions are designed to support your submission and address any questions you may have about the draft notices. Please review the draft notice content before joining.

Organic Standard Notice - Tranche 1

How to get involved

We encourage all operators and stakeholders to review the consultation documents, attend the webinars, and submit feedback. Your participation ensures that the voices of New Zealand’s organic sector are heard and reflected in these important regulations.

Louise Vicente