February 2023 edition of The BUZZ, Organic Aotearoa's monthly newsletter.

Hello, and welcome to the first edition of The Buzz for 2023, your monthly dose of news from the Organic Sector.

Unprecedented weather once again is dominating the headlines in Aotearoa, we have become a motu divided by climate extremes. With floods ravaging people's lives and crops in Auckland and the north, whilst parts of Otago and Southland are predicted to be in drought by the summer's end. We continue to see the effects of climate change and hope you are fairing well in this period of volatile weather.

New Prime Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledges climate change as the driving force behind the Auckland floods and warns of more frequent weather events in the future and the need to prepare for climate adaptation.  We, the Organic Sector, know that looking after our soil, working with nature and limiting artificial inputs not only regenerates the health of our soil but acts against climate change. So when we say 'organics IS climate action', we mean it, and Rodale's 40-year study backs it up.

OANZ's work moving Aotearoa New Zealand, towards a climate-friendly farming future becomes more vital, and we must continue to get this message out there. You can help too, by becoming a member today.

We have an election in October. So let's continue to get organic agriculture on the political agenda and make our votes count.

Ngā mihi
Chris 

Chris Morrison – Chair 
T: 027 548 1293
E: Chris@oanz.org