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.

Organic NZ

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An Organic Week to remember • Organic Week is Aotearoa’s largest annual celebration of all things organic. Brought to you for the fifth year, Organic Week unites the organic sector to increase knowledge and further a better environment. You are invited to join.

Organic Week Events • Check out what’s happening and get involved, with all events open for registration on the Organic Week website.

OrganicNZ Awards ‘23

It doesn’t have to be like this!

MAKING SOIL Turning food scraps into food production • A climate action enterprise uses bokashi and no-turn composting methods to create carbon-rich, nutrient-dense soil. Theresa Sjoquist talks to those who are diverting landfill to profitable crops.

Conquer the cold Seasonal gardening tips and tasks

The moon’s influence explained

An Aunty to all • When disaster strikes, the basics of food and shelter become challenging. Meghan Read hears from Arohanui Lawrence about how her spray-free community garden demonstrates the strength of local food resilience.

Silt to soil REJUVENATING SILT ORGANICALLY • The silts from recent floods are devoid of the all important pore spaces, organic matter and microbes that make up a living soil. Charles Merfeild gives practical recommendations on how to use organic processes to re-establish these and revitalise mineral-rich silt.

Foraging fungi 101 • The fear of poisonous mushrooms keeps many of us from harvesting this nutritious, beneficial, organic, and free, food source. David Whyte provides a guide on foraging four common edible fungi with the vitally important tips for identification.

Creative in the Cold • Inclement weather does not stop growers in the deep South. Diana Noonan finds out how they have recycled their way into productivity.

Food for Thought • A Real Food advocator, chef, environmental fairy, mover, shaker and motivator, Alesha Bilbrough-Collins puts it all in Food for Thought. Brutally honest (sometimes abruptly so) she gives lively comments about basic ingredients and her experience of glyphosate poisoning amongst a multitude of creative, efficient, and uniquely kiwi recipes for healthy food.

Happiness BEGINS WITH GOOD FOOD • The hormones that support us to feel calm, content, and happy are produced in our gut from the food we eat. Laura Hett explains how our diet affects our state of mind.

GE whiz • Genetically engineered ingredients are sneaking into our foods. Is GE the future it is promoted to be? Is it safe? Are there better options? We need to inform ourselves and apply critical thinking, writes Philippa Jamieson.

Explaining organics • one term at a time

Funding the FUTURE • Practitioners are convinced biodynamics is the way of the future – and are financing the research to prove it.

Carbon The difference between organic and industrial • Sequestering carbon into the soil is the key to sustainable growing. It is what organic farmers do. Charles Hyland investigates the difference between organic and non-organic farming practices and says it’s time organics are recognised for their benefits to climate change, soil health, and air and water quality.

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