Organic NZ

Organic NZ is filled with info to live a healthier lifestyle - for you and the planet! Published by the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, working since 1941 for sustainable organic agricultural and good health. Topics range from home garden to large-scale success stories; eco-building; urban organics; genetic engineering & chemical issues; food matters & natural health.

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Flowers that fly • There are 26 different species of pēpepe butterflies in New Zealand. most of them are endemic (found only in New Zealand) and some are struggling to survive. Jacqui Knight explains how and what gardeners can do to provide the habitat and food they need.

New Zealand Butterflies

Successful Summer gardening • Tips and tasks for the January and February māra by Diana Noonan.

Maramataka

The root of the matter INTERCROPPING AND LIVING MULCHERS • Nature endeavours to cover bare soil with a succession of plants. Science is understanding why and learning that the benefits of roots can outweigh even the best of inputs. Charles Merfield says we need to recloak Papatūānuku with a diversity of living plants and discusses how we can put this into practice amongst our crops.

NOURISHED FOR NIL TURNING WASTE INTO FOOD • New Zealand’s yearly food waste produces 409,234 tonnes of carbon emissions. To offset this we would need to take 150,453 cars off the road for one year or plant 163,693 trees. Rescuing this waste to feed people is a win-win. Christina McBeth tells Bonnie Flaws how she co-ordinates Hawke’s Bay businesses, government assistance, sister organisations, and volunteers to redirect waste into food for over 1200 families.

Drink Smart KNOW WHAT ALCOHOL DOES TO YOUR BODY – AND HOW TO MITIGATE IT • Always wondered what that glass of wine does to you? Holistic nutritionist Laura Hett breaks down how alcohol impacts the body, deals to some classic myths, and leaves us with a few tips and tricks.

Nicola Galloway The homemade table • Chef and gardener Nicola Galloway shares simple, versatile, and nutritious seasonal recipes from her new book, The HomemadeTable. Nicolaencourages us to experiment, use our senses, adjust instructions to suit ourselves, and fall in love with turning our produce into delicious and wholesome treats.

TOURISM DOESN’T HAVE TO cost the earth • The tourism dollar is coming back, but at what cost? Claire Brunette investigates how New Zealand can, and does, balance the effect on the environment while still reaping the rewards in our economy.

The essence of nature New Zealand Native Oils • Vivienne Bailey discovers how a change in life, markets, and health developed into a business using our endemic plants to heal and soothe the skin.

Jenny Lux ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST • Jenny Lux believes a united approach is essential to organics in New Zealand – and that starts with an agreed definition of exactly what is, and what is not, ‘organic’. Wearing the Soil & Health badge and representing the small grower and consumer, Jenny tells us why, and how, she is working to make an impact.

Explaining organics • one term at a time

Green snippets • Updates from the organic world

100% organic • Sikkim may be small in size but its economy is flourishing. It’s the world’s second largest producer of cardamon, has 35% of its area protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a growing tourism income, and is leading the world in environmental care. In 2016 become the first state in the world to be 100 per cent organic. Astute leadership ensured the transition to organic farming...