Shaping the Future of Organics in Aotearoa New Zealand
As the demand for organic products continues to rise, the need for a unified, financially sustainable sector body in Aotearoa New Zealand has never been more critical. With the new organic regime on the horizon, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is taking proactive steps to ensure that our organic farmers, producers, brands, processors, and retailers are effectively represented. To achieve this, we have secured $160,000 in funding and have initiated the first workstream of our ambitious project.
What’s Happening Now?
Workstream 1, running from July to December 2024, is focused on researching industry body examples, exploring revenue options such as levy systems, and identifying the legal and regulatory requirements for establishing a sector body. Through interviews, case studies, and collaboration with other organic sector organizations, we aim to gather valuable insights that will guide strategic decision-making.
To drive this effort forward, we are forming three essential sub-committees:
Research: Identify critical research needs and gather data to inform our strategy.
Finance: Exploring various revenue models to ensure the financial sustainability of the sector body.
Organisation: Defining the purpose and structure of the new sector body.
Why We Need You
The success of this project depends on the collective effort of the entire organic sector. We need passionate individuals with expertise and a commitment to the future of organics in New Zealand. By joining one of our sub-committees, you'll have the opportunity to engage in in-depth analysis, contribute to the formulation of recommendations, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of your sector body.
Sub-committees will meet once every two to three weeks from September to December 2024. Preparation and reading will be required before each meeting, with each group being led by a Chair responsible for driving the work and delivering outcomes.
Don’t Miss Out
This is more than just a call for volunteers; it’s an invitation to be part of something significant. If you’re unable to participate personally, consider nominating someone from your team who could benefit from this hands-on experience in driving change and developing critical sector strategies.
Get Involved
Register your interest by emailing Lou at comms@oanz.org by September 10th. Your involvement is crucial in building a sector body that truly represents and supports our organic community.
Together, let’s shape the future of organics in Aotearoa New Zealand!