New Zealand parties weigh in on Organics Aotearoa manifesto

New Zealand’s political parties gave mixed reactions to the Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) manifesto outlining a national organic standard, sector investment and market‑access goals. Opportunity deputy leader Daniel Eb said the party’s Healthy Land and Healthy People policies will broadly align with the manifesto, supporting resilient land use and healthier food environments, while opposing the current Gene Technology Bill. Greens agriculture spokesperson Steve Abel expressed a positive view of the manifesto but offered no further comment. Labour agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton said Labour broadly backs the OANZ proposals, including the rollout of the National Organic Standard, investment in the sector and securing global market access, though the party supports gene‑technology research under strict safeguards. Luxton noted Labour would set out detailed policies in its upcoming manifesto and questioned whether an associate minister for organics would continue if Labour wins the election.