OrganicNZ Awards Finalists Announced
Organic NZ Awards Finalists Announced
We are delighted to announce finalists in the peer-reviewed categories for Organic NZ Awards 2023.
Organic Regenerative Farmer of the Year – presented by Biolchim
This award recognises a leader who has played an instrumental role in the organic community. It celebrates those whose work showcases organic regenerative farming systems.
The finalists are:
Jenny Lux
Jenny runs Lux Organic, a certified organic farm. Jenny has been nominated for the regenerative organic methods used on farm such as polycropping, no tilling, no dig gardens, and composting all farm “waste” which is used back on the whenua.
Coral Remiro
Coral is studying soil ecology through the Soil Food Web School and works at Earth Stewards Certified Organic Urban Farm. Coral has been nominated for her work researching and implementing trials to improve soil biology. Soil health and climate change mitigation is the total long term focus of her operation.
Ryan Fraser
Ryan works at Paritua Vineyards in Hawke’s Bay which is in its second year of fully organic management. Ryan has been nominated for his work protecting biodiversity on the vineyard and his work in the wider community to improve the river catchment environment.
Emerging Leader of the Year – presented by TranzAlpine Honey
This award recognises someone working in an inspiring leadership role in the New Zealand organics/kai atua sector with under five years experience.
The finalists are:
Jamie Tucker
Jamie has been instrumental in setting up the BHU Organic College Market Garden. This project is dedicated to educating future farmers and backyard growers in agroecological and regenerative farming methods. Jamie has been described as san incredible mentor, whose patience is matched by her enthusiasm, knowledge and tirelessness.
Brittany Stembridge
Brittany is a member of OFNZ and runs TomTit Farm producing a wide range of market garden produce for the Hamilton community. Brittany completed the Earthworkers Regenerative Horticulture course (2021) and is ‘walking the talk’ on climate action and sustainability through food systems. Brittany has been described as a leader and influencer of a new generation of organic regenerative growers.
Organic Brand of the Year – presented by the Soil & Health Association
This award recognises a company, brand or product line with organic certification and/or Hua Parakore verification that is independently owned and based in Aotearoa. It is open to successful organic brands who are leading the way to mitigate climate change and build a just society in harmony with nature and the planet.
The finalists are:
TranzAlpine Honey
TranzAlpine Honey are a 5th generation of family beekeepers, certified organic, and committed to the health of the environment. They are constantly innovating to reduce their impact in order to produce healthy food without compromising future generations’ ability to do the same. TranzAlpine Honey account for 68% of all certified organic New Zealand honey exported to the EU annually.
Karma Cola
Karma Cola are on a mission to be the world’s most ethical soft drink. They aim to connect consumers with farmers and growers in a way that respects everyone and everything involved. They are proudly certified organic by the Soil Association, and have an impressive list of achievements that sarted in one village in Sierra Leone and is now across 8 communities, impacting 3,000 people.
Roots, Shoots and Fruits
Roots, Shoots and Fruits provide organic fertilisers and nutrition products alongside education and scientific trials to combat incorrect assumptions about organic products. A recent success has been the Home Gardening range, to let a wider audience see what commercial growers had been using for decades to grow the biggest, brightest, juiciest produce.
Note: One of our judges, Chris Morrison, recused themselves from judging in this category due to an conflict of interest in one of the nominees.
About the judges
Philippa Jamieson is the former editor of Organic NZ magazine and an Honorary Life Member of the Soil & Health Association.
Geneva Hildreth is Co-Chair of Te Waka Kai Ora and a former chair of Te Tai Tokerau Organic Producers.
Allan Richardson is a west Otago organic sheep and beef farmer and current OANZ board member.
Cleo Te Kiri is a BioGro board member and is the Dairy Business Manager Organics at Pamu (Landcorp).
Chris Morrison is the chair of OANZ and has made numerous business and voluntary contributions to the world of organics in Aotearoa.
About the awards
The Organic NZ Awards are presented by Organic NZ magazine as part of annual Organic Week celebrations. Winners will be announced during Organic Week on Thursday 4 May. Buy tickets to attend here: https://organicnz.org.nz/organic-week/organic-nz-awards/#!event-register/2023/5/4/the-organic-nz-awards
Organic Week is an annual celebration, held 1 – 7 May this year, organised by The Soil & Health Association of New Zealand and Organics Aotearoa New Zealand.
Organic Week is sponsored by Countdown, BiolChim New Zealand, Farmlands, Asure Quality, Kokako Coffee, Chantal Organics, TranzAlpine Honey, Pernergetic New Zealand, Waihi Bush and the Open Polytechnic.
Three peer-reviewed awards will be decided by a group of judges. These categories are: Organic Regenerative Farmer of the Year, Emerging Organic Leader of the Year, and Organic Brand of the Year.
Five Peoples’ Choice awards will be decided by public vote. These categories are: Organic Food Product of the Year, Organic Beverage of the Year, Organic Non-Food Product of the Year, Community Garden of the Year, and Farmers’ Market of the Year.
