OANZ

What OANZ does

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is the national body for New Zealand's organic sector, established in 2006 as a registered charity (CC38893) and incorporated society under the legal name Organics Aotearoa New Zealand Society Limited. The organization operates as a unified advocacy voice for organic producers, certifiers, traders, exporters, and consumers, coordinating policy influence, sector research, and ecosystem support. Its primary functions include lobbying for favorable regulation (notably the Organic Products and Production Act 2023 and GE-free protections), publishing biennial NZ Organic Market Reports, operating webinar series (Frontline Perspectives, Lunch & Learn), maintaining a training programmes directory, and delivering the Organic Farmer Extension Programme in partnership with Lincoln University's Biological Husbandry Unit. It also holds a Treaty partnership with Te Waka Kai Ora (National Māori Organics Authority) to grow Hua Parakore and indigenous organic production.

OANZ does not sell products in a commercial sense; instead, it monetizes through tiered annual membership subscriptions (Individual $250, Small Business $500, Medium Business/Nonprofit $1,500, Large Business $2,500 per year), grants, and tax-deductible donations under its IRD donee status. A notable fundraising mechanism is the three-year matching donation program (2023–2025) from philanthropist Gary Hirshberg, matching up to NZD $60,000 annually. Distribution occurs through a direct membership sales channel (domestic), public webinars and Organic Week events (global reach), and an online member directory showcasing certified operators. The organization is headquartered at P O Box 78408, Grey Lynn, Auckland, operates with 1–10 employees plus a distributed volunteer network, and is governed by an elected board with an advisory board.

Underlying technology is minimal and non-proprietary — the website runs on Squarespace, communications are delivered via email newsletter (The Buzz), YouTube-hosted webinar recordings, and social channels (Facebook). Strategic technology is delegated to the Aotearoa New Zealand Organic Collective (ANZOC), a partner platform building shared infrastructure for certified operator directories, recipe compliance tools, label verification, and traceability documentation. Revenue mechanics depend on a relatively narrow membership base supplemented by episodic donations and grant funding rather than scalable commercial product revenue.

Name

OANZ

Legal name

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand Society Limited

Website

https://www.oanz.org/

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is the national non-profit body representing New Zealand's organic sector, providing advocacy, policy influence, sector research, and ecosystem support to organic producers, certifiers, traders, and exporters since 2006.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from individuals, small businesses, medium businesses, nonprofits, and large businesses ranging from $250 to $2500 per year. Members receive access to the OANZ members portal, exclusive content, board and committee participation opportunities, and early access to events.
2. Donations and Grants: OANZ is a registered charity (CC38893) that relies on donations and grants to fund its work. Gary Hirshberg has offered to match donations up to $60,000 each year for three years (2023-25). Donations of $5 or more may qualify for tax credit under IRD Donee Status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OANZ is a non-profit national industry body that sells tiered memberships and delivers advocacy, research, training, and knowledge products to New Zealand's organic sector. It generates the biennial NZ Organic Market Report, runs the GE-Free Future Campaign, an Organic Farmer Extension Programme, a Training Programmes Directory, the Consumer Recognition Communications Toolkit, and webinar series, supported by an online member directory and a members portal.

Product overview

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) is the national body for the organic sector, established in 2006 as a non-profit organization. Rather than a traditional software product company, OANZ provides advocacy, ecosystem support, and collaboration services for the organic sector. Its core offerings include the OANZ Membership Programme providing access to council meetings, networking, and the members portal; the GE-Free Future Campaign opposing genetic engineering deregulation; the Organic Farmer Extension Programme and Organic Ecosystem Database for farmer knowledge-sharing; and the NZ Organic Market Report providing sector research. OANZ also delivers educational content through Frontline Perspectives and Lunch & Learn webinar series, maintains a Training Programmes Directory linking to partner institutions (BHU Organic Training College, SIT, Toi Ohomai, Open Polytechnic), and publishes research papers such as the EU Green Deal Research Paper. All offerings work together to grow the organic sector through advocacy, collaboration, and ecosystem support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OANZ Membership Programme Tiered annual membership subscriptions for individuals ($250/year), small businesses ($500/year), medium businesses and nonprofits ($1,500/year), and large businesses ($2,500/year). Members receive access to the OANZ members portal, council meetings, networking events, voting rights, and sector advocacy. For organic producers, traders, exporters, certification bodies, and supporters.
• Organic Sector Research and Market Reports Biennial commissioned research into domestic and international organic markets, delivered as the NZ Organic Market Report with market analysis and data to drive sector growth. For organic operators, policymakers, and sector stakeholders.
• GE-Free Future Campaign Public advocacy campaign opposing the deregulation of gene editing and genetic engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand, including the Gene Technology Bill and HSNO and ACVM Amendment Bills. For organic producers, consumers, and the general public.
• Frontline Perspectives Webinar Series Conversations with people on the frontline exploring challenges and opportunities shaping organic, regenerative, and GE-free futures in Aotearoa New Zealand. Open to the public via YouTube.
• Lunch & Learn Webinar Series A series of webinars featuring producers sharing experiences with climate-friendly farming methods, covering organic standards, biodynamics, food systems, EU Green Deal, and regenerative winegrowing. For organic producers and sector stakeholders.
• Organic Farmer Extension Programme A programme designed to help define what successful organic farming support looks like, focusing on improving knowledge transfer, practical mentoring, discussion groups, and organic ambassador networks. For farmers transitioning to or operating in organic agriculture.
• Training Programmes Directory A directory of organic training programmes linking to partner institutions, including BHU Organic Training College (Stepping Stone Programme, Certificates in Organics Level 3 and 4), SIT2LRN Distance Learning (Certificates in Organic Primary Production Level 3 and 4), Toi Ohomai Institute (Certificate in Organic Primary Production Level 4), and Open Polytechnic (Certificate in Organic Primary Production Level 3). For current and aspiring organic farmers.
• Consumer Recognition Communications Toolkit A communications toolkit designed to help communicate organics to consumers, created through the 'Why Organics' project with key messages using the SUST acronym (Simple, Uplifting, Substance, True). For organic sector members and stakeholders marketing to consumers.
• EU Green Deal Research Paper Technical report titled 'EU Green Deal: Impact on NZ's Land-based Primary Producers' funded by Our Land Our Water National Science Challenge, examining effects of EU policies on New Zealand's dairy and wine export sectors. For organic and primary sector exporters and policymakers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organic sector generates NZD 1.2 billion annually with export earnings of NZD 606.7 million in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Our Land Our Water National Science ChallengecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Funded the EU Green Deal Research Paper examining the impact of EU policies on New Zealand's land-based primary producers. The research focuses on dairy and wine sectors and implications for organic trade.
• Te Waka Kai Ora (National Māori Organics Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreaty partner working to grow Hua Parakore (Māori organics verification system) and organics within Māori communities. OANZ works in Treaty partnership with this organization to support indigenous organic production.
• Papawhakaritorito TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreaty partner providing insight into the effects of international trade on Indigeneity, including case study on Organic Products and Production Bill negotiations and Hua Parakore.
• FonterracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor dairy co-operative providing assistance with dairy sector case study for EU Green Deal research. Also working with OANZ on organic milk expansion to South Island.
• New Zealand WinegrowerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association providing assistance with wine sector case study for EU Green Deal research examining potential effects of EU policies on New Zealand wine exports.
• Lincoln University - Biological Husbandry UnitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner hosting the Future Farming Centre dedicated to science and extension of organic, agroecological, and regenerative agriculture. Provides training programs including Certificates in Organics.
• Rodale InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based organic farming research organization. OANZ has partnered for speaker series featuring Jeff Moyer (CEO) and shares Rodale webinars with members. Rodale's 40-year farming systems trial provides research backing for organic claims.
• Soil and Health Association NZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing organic organization and OANZ member that co-hosts Organic Week events. Founded in 1941 as one of New Zealand's first organic organizations, operating OrganicNZ magazine.
• European Union Delegation to New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaroline Lambert (Head of Trade) and team shared expertise on EU Green Deal policies and Farm to Fork Strategy for research paper on impact to New Zealand primary exporters.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IFOAM Organics International: Global umbrella federation for the organic agriculture movement, coordinating advocacy, standards, and policy across member organizations worldwide. Directly comparable to OANZ as the international analogue of a national organic sector body.
• Soil Association: UK-based membership charity that campaigns for sustainable food, farming, and public health, while also operating as a major organic certification body. Directly comparable to OANZ in combining advocacy, certification, and membership services for the organic sector.
• Organic Trade Association: US-based membership association for the organic industry, representing producers, processors, distributors, and retailers in policy advocacy and market development. Closely mirrors OANZ's trade association role at a much larger scale.
• Canada Organic Trade Association: Canadian membership-based association promoting organic trade, advocating for sector-friendly policy, and producing market research. Directly comparable to OANZ in mission, structure, and member-driven advocacy model.

Regional players

• Australian Organic Limited: Australia's peak organic industry body representing organic operators and advocating for the sector to government and consumers. Closest geographic and structural peer to OANZ, operating in a neighboring market with similar regulatory and trade dynamics.
• Sustainable Business Network: New Zealand-based membership organization working with businesses on sustainability and regenerative practices. Adjacent peer sharing OANZ's NZ footprint and overlapping membership base (e.g., Chris Morrison was founding chair).
• Organic Federation of Australia: Australian peak body for the organic industry focused on advocacy, education, and sector development. Similar mission to OANZ at a regional level with overlapping exporter/trader membership.

Emerging players

• Regeneration International: Global advocacy network promoting regenerative agriculture and organic farming practices. Comparable to OANZ in its advocacy orientation and grassroots mobilization, with thematic overlap on GE-free and regenerative futures.

Others

• BioGro New Zealand: New Zealand's largest organic certification body and an OANZ member. Comparable as a key sector infrastructure provider within the same organic ecosystem, though operating a different function (certification vs. advocacy).

Broad incumbents

• European Organic Certifiers Council: Broader European-level organic sector coordination body representing organic stakeholders across EU member states. Comparable to OANZ in advocacy and standards-setting scope, but operating across a much larger and more regulated jurisdiction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLGz_0ivg-O8SrAFAkuR1XcEl7Np9yufcw
• Facebookfacebook.com/organicsaotearoanewzealand

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OANZ