World Vegetarian Day 1st October

WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY

For immediate release

It’s clear. Vegetarianism in New Zealand is growing rapidly. World Vegetarian Day on 1st October is the day to celebrate all things vegetarian.

Vegetarianism has been shown to increase longevity and reduce risk of many major illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It lessens the load on Mother Earth. Obviously it’s good for the animals.

“Going veg 28 years ago was the best thing I ever did,” says Stephanie Lane, NZ Vegetarian Society’s National Manager. “Everyone told me it was a phase but I’ve never looked back. I’m vegan now and my kids and I would hate to live any other way.”

This year, in addition to fun events throughout the country, the NZ Vegetarian Society is launching a new app to “Count your Community”. While we know the numbers of vegetarians and vegans is steadily increasing, the NZ Vegetarian Society wants to know how many vegetarians there really are in New Zealand, and where.

Count your community. Any time, any place. One lucky counter will win a Breville Kinetix Twist Blender valued at $249.99. Share the app to get extra entries into the draw.

The app can be found at www.vegetarian.org.nz. Just count the people in your place of work, club, classroom or anywhere and enter it on your phone. It’s as simple as that.

Also on World Vegetarian Day, the annual Student Film Competition People’s Choice winner will be announced. The film with the most nationwide votes will win the $1000 cash prize! Check out the array of short films by our kiwi kids on the NZ Vegetarian Society’s website. There’s still time to vote for your favourite film or your local school.

Vegetarian Expos will be held on at both ends of the country, with Christchurch’s highly anticipated annual expo on 25th September and Northland’s first ever Veg Expo in Whangarei on the 29th October.

For help to go veg, contact the NZ Vegetarian Society. Recipes and information can be found at www.vegetarian.org.nz, email them at info@vegetarian.org.nz or give them a call on 09 523 4686.

Film Competition web page:
www.vegetarian.org.nz/vegetarian-events/short-film-competition

World Vegetarian Day web page:
www.vegetarian.org.nz/vegetarian-events/world-vegetarian-month

For local events in your area, see below:

Northland:
Whangarei Vegan Expo. Saturday 29th October 2016. 10am – 4pm at Whangarei Intermediate School, Rust Ave, Whangarei. Adults $5, children free. Enjoy awesome food, snappy info talks, yummy cooking demos and be inspired by all that plant-rich goodness. More information at www.whangareivegans.co.nz

Auckland:
Taste the World on World Vegetarian Day. Celebrate and enjoy vegan food from around the world. Limited tickets available for this event in Epsom on Saturday, 1st of October from 2 till 4 pm. Pay just $5 if you are a NZ Vegetarian Society member ($10 for non-members) and come and taste dishes from around the world. Includes a complimentary glass of wine or fruit juice. Email Viktoria at info@vegetarian.org.nz or phone her on 523-4686. Bookings close 26th of September.

Film Competition Category winners (up for the People’s Choice prize):

• Ponsonby Primary School

• Waikowhai Intermediate

• Northcross Intermediate, North Shore

Film Competition Runners Up:

• Diocesan School, Epsom

• Waimauku School, Waimauku

Tauranga:

Film Competition Category winners (up for the People’s Choice prize):

• Pillans Point School

Napier:
World Vegetarian Day potluck - Saturday 1st October – Napier. Join them for a vegan potluck lunch from 11am to celebrate World Vegetarian Day! Contact Donna for more info donna444@gmail.com, 027-588-7756.

Hastings:
World Vegan Day potluck - Sunday 30th October. Join them for a vegan potluck lunch from 11am to celebrate World Vegan Day! Contact Donna for more info donna444@gmail.com ,027-588-7756.

Horowhenua (Levin):
Library display with volunteers present to answer any questions.

World Vegetarian Day dinner – email info@vegetarian.org.nz for details.

Wellington:

Pot Luck Dinner: Hutt Valley Tramping Club, off Birch Rd, Lower Hutt. Saturday 1st October, 6pm. Everyone welcome, vegan dishes only please and you can BYO to this event. RSVP eventswellington@gmail.com.

Film Competition Category winners (up for the People’s Choice prize):

• Samuel Marsden Whitby School, Wellington

• Naenae Clubhouse, Lower Hutt

Christchurch:
Vegetarian Expo. Sunday 25th September. Celebrate World Vegetarian and World Animal Days at Christchurch’s Vegetarian Food and Lifestyle Expo. Enjoy great vegan food, watch top veggie chefs display their cooking secrets, learn about vegetarian living and enjoy celebrating cruelty-free pro-planet living with Christchurch’s vegetarian community. Whether you are vegetarian or not, you will love the variety of foods and entertainment on offer.

10.00am-4.30pm, Student Association Building at Ara Institute of Canterbury (formerly CPIT) on Madras Street, Christchurch. All welcome. $5 entry. Children 12 and under free. Email: info@vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz, Ph: (03) 940 9483. www.vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz/events-tauwhainga/expo/this-years-expo

World Vegan Day dinner: Saturday 29th at Lotus-Heart. To book and for more information see www.vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz or email info@vegetarianchristchurch.org.nz

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