Organic Education in New Zealand
Looking to go organic and not sure where to start? New Zealand is filled with a wealth of experience, and we’d like to help you connect with some names within the sector to really help you get started.
Please be aware that we are not affiliated with any of the below courses or workshops. Our only recommendation is to ensure you fully research what’s available to you. If you have any questions regarding organic certification, please contact us directly for expert knowledge.
If you offer organic educative services in New Zealand and would like to be featured, please get in contact.
Organic Consultation
Listed below are individuals that have widespread knowledge, and work with the sector to provide courses and workshops for you to attend.
OrganicAg
Key Contacts: Bill Quinn
Location: New Zealand
Key information: OrganicAg was formed to deliver a range of services to support primary producers converting or currently operating as organic. Knowledge of organic stems back to 1985 when Bill converted his drystock/horticulture unit and now offers 50 workshops per year.
See website for more information.
Earthbridge Organics
Key Contacts: Vivienne Cruickshank
Location: New Zealand
Key Information: Viv managed a commercial export pip fruit orchard & packhouse 30 years ago and is an experienced senior auditor with organic certifier BioGro NZ. She has tutored NZQA levels 3 & 4 organic horticulture and agriculture, and mentors commercial operations through their organic certification process.
See website for more information.
True Health
Key Contacts: Phyllis Tichinin
Location: New Zealand
Key information: Phyllis is an eco-nutritionist with a passion for regenerative farming practices, consulting for the production of nutrient-dense food that enhances, rather than detracts from the environment. With a focus on dairy, Phyllis consults to both industry and the farming community.
See website for more information.
Integrity Soils
Key Contacts: Nicole Masters
Location: Australia & New Zealand
Key information: Specialist in regenerative agriculture systems. Facilitates workshops, to which 20/30% of the courses are with an organic focus.
This can increase on demand - see website for more information.
Universities and Institutes
The BHU Organics Training College
Key Contacts: Bill Martin (03 325 3684)
Level 3 and 4 Certificate in Organic Primary Production
Open Polytechnic
Key Contacts: Gianni Prencipe
Toi Ohomai - Tauranga
Level 4 Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Crop Production)
Southern Institute of Technology - SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Level 3 Certificate in Organic Primary Production
Level 4 Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Crop or Livestock)
Membership groups
Southern Organic Group
Key Contacts: Rosanne Allen (032255842) & Bronnie Stevenson (032306116)
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Key information: 60+ members with a focus on organic livestock, meetings take place every other month with regular farm discussions.
Organic Exporters New Zealand
Key Contacts: Rick Carmont
Location: New Zealand
Key information: Serving over 140 NZ companies exporting certified organic products to 90 markets around the world. Their core role is to link members together, share knowledge and resources and make progress on common issues.
See the website for further information.
Organic Winegrowers New Zealand
Key Contacts: Rebecca Reider
Location: New Zealand
Key information: Grower-led organisation dedicated to organic and biodynamic practice.
See the website for further information.
Organic Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ)
Key Contacts: Tiffany Tompkins
Location: New Zealand
Key information: A national voice of the organic sector, providing leadership to collectively work towards sector growth and policies that are good for the health of our people, communities, environment and economy.
See the website for further information.
Te Waka Kai Ora
Key Contacts: Jessica Hutchings
Location: New Zealand
Key Information: The National Māori Organics Authority of Aotearoa. They are the kaitiaki of the Hua Parakore Indigenous Validation and Verification system for Kai Atua or Pure Food.