Organic Manifesto Goes to Parliament—Sector Calls for Policy & Investment

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 investment, and the message coming back to members is blunt: not one party currently has a specific policy for growing organics in New Zealand.

The delegation saw OANZ representatives present the Organic Election Manifesto and its five organic priorities directly to MPs and officials ahead of the November election. The visit follows months of sector engagement building towards a clear ask of the next government: back organics with real investment and policy, not just goodwill.

"We're not asking for a favour, we're pointing to an opportunity this government is currently leaving on the table," says OANZ board member Scott Lawson. "Organic is growing at three times the rate of conventional primary exports*, because consumers globally are demanding clean, ethical food. This government wants to double exports, and organics is one of the clearest paths to get there. But growth like that doesn't happen without policy and investment behind it."

The case for backing organics is a genuine win-win, delivering measurable gains in soil health, water quality, biodiversity and climate resilience. The environmental and public health gains stand on their own. Layered on top is the economic case: a fast-growing export category perfectly matched to where global demand is heading.

During the delegation, OANZ put seven direct questions to every party it met, covering the continuation of a dedicated Associate Organic Minister, the National Organic Standard rollout, investment in the sector's growth architecture, global market access and equivalency, protection of GE-free and organic certification status, support for

organic transition and domestic procurement, and whether the party has any policy for growing organics at all.

Responses will be published in an Organic Political Scorecard, using a simple colour-coded system to show voters exactly where each party stands. The scorecard will be a key resource for New Zealand's organic sector, advocates and consumers, estimated at around 120,000 voters, as they weigh up their choice at the ballot box this November.

"Political parties and Ministers have been briefed that the organic sector is organised and means business," says Brendan Hoare, OANZ advisor. "We are expecting the 2026 election will be an instrumental platform for change."

"A common theme across all political parties we met with was the requirement for domestic food supply and security," says Lawson. "It's clear it's an election topic of the utmost importance, and one that requires commitment and development as part of the organic growth strategy."

OANZ is calling on all parties to use the time before the election to develop a clear, funded position on organics, and says it will keep pushing until they do.

* CAGR for organic exports (9.6%) is more than 3 times that of total primary sector exports (2.76%) for the period 2020 to 2024

ENDS

Brendan Hoare - OANZ advisor and spokesperson (Left) with Hon Mark Patterson, NZ First (Centre) and Scott Lawson, OANZ board member and director of Lawson’s Organic Farms (Right) in Wellington last week.

Brendan Hoare - OANZ advisor and spokesperson (Left) with Minister Mike Butterick, Associate Agriculture Minister - Organic (Centre) and Scott Lawson, OANZ board member and director of Lawson’s Organic Farms (Right) in Wellington last week.

Media Contact:

Scott Lawson - Director at Lawson’s Organic Farms and OANZ Board Member

Tel: 0274446267

Email: scott@trueearth.co.nz

Brendan Hoare- OANZ Advisor& Spokesperson

Tel: 0272888618

Email: bhoare@buypurenz.com