Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has welcomed news from Parliament this week that the Health Select Committee has extended its reporting deadline on the controversial Gene Technology Bill from 31 July to 22 August.

While no official explanation for the delay has been given, OANZ views the extension as a positive sign that the widespread concerns raised by farmers, exporters, scientists, and consumers are being taken seriously.

“This extension reflects that the issues at stake are complex, contested, and critical to New Zealand’s food future,” said OANZ Chief Executive Tiffany Tompkins. “We welcome the opportunity for greater scrutiny and urge all parties to prioritise strong protections for environmental and human health, as well as economic well-being.

OANZ is in Wellington this week for the sixth time in 12 months, continuing high-level meetings with MPs from across the political spectrum and key government departments. The focus is on the rising concern over the erosion of Aotearoa’s food system, including the Gene Technology Bill and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Proposal P1055, which would allow gene-edited foods to bypass safety checks and be sold without labelling or traceability.

“Together, the Gene Tech Bill and FSANZ’s deregulation proposal risk undermining not just the organic sector, but the wider food and farming system, including our export reputation and the public’s right to choose GE-free food,” said Tompkins. “It also sends the wrong message to global markets, which increasingly demand full traceability and integrity from a country that prides itself on claims its clean, green and ‘100% Pure’.

OANZ has led a national campaign alongside farmers, scientists, Māori leaders and concerned consumers, calling for the Bill to be slowed down, properly scrutinised, and reshaped to reflect the values New Zealand’s food sector is globally known for.

While the reporting delay offers a vital window for further consideration, OANZ remains vigilant. The organisation is calling on the government to ensure any final legislation protects:

The right to farm GE-free

Consumer choice and transparent labelling

New Zealand’s global reputation and market access

“This is a defining moment,” said Tompkins. “We will continue to advocate on behalf of the sector, and for New Zealanders who deserve a safe and trusted food system that prioritises public health and environmental well-being.’’

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