Certification

While there are several environmental certification systems available, certified organic production remains the only option which is instantly recognised internationally and independently verified, with every certified organic producer tested against organic standards on an annual basis.

New Zealand has a voluntary standard, developed by Standards New Zealand, with certifiers measuring whether a product is organic either against this or (more commonly) against stricter standards set down by their own organisations. New Zealand's certifiers are globally respected, ensuring that New Zealand organic products retain their value and credibility as a premium product wherever in the world they are sold.

New Zealand has four main organic certification agencies, with Demeter assessing against BioDynamic standards and OrganicFarmNZ tailored for small producers wishing to sell to a local or domestic market. BioGro and AsureQuality are New Zealand's largest certifiers, able to certify against international standards and working as part of New Zealand's Official Organic Assurance Programme.

Choosing the right certifier is one of the most important and significant decisions in the conversion process to organics. As a producer you want to make sure that your certifier is a good match for your type of production, the way you operate and your target markets. It is advisable to consult with the appropriate certifiers and find out who provides the best match, and to help this process, we recommend you download our checklist for organic certifiers.