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Proposed changes to New Zealand’s organic regulations

Have your say

MPI is seeking feedback on proposals intended to make the organic regulatory system clearer, more practical, and proportionate before businesses must fully comply with the Organic Standards Regulations from 31 March 2028. 

The consultation opened on 11 August and closes at 11:59 pm on 22 September 2026.

What's being proposed

New Zealand is introducing a national system to regulate organic products. This consultation is focused on 4 areas intended to improve clarity, reduce compliance costs for very small operators, strengthen system integrity, and support effective implementation of the new organic regime. Each focus area has options and we'd like you to tell us your preferences.

1. Exemption threshold 

Whether the current annual organic turnover threshold of $10,000 should remain, increase to $30,000, increase to $12,700 to account for inflation, or be set at another amount. 

2. Infringement offences and penalties

Whether infringement notices should be available for minor or administrative non-compliance, and whether the proposed fees are fair and proportionate. 

3. Minor and technical amendments 

Whether targeted amendments would make the Organic Products and Production Regulations and the Organic Standards Regulations clearer and more workable without changing the underlying policy intent. 

4. National organic mark 

Whether New Zealand should have a single national organic mark for domestic and international markets, separate marks, and what a national mark should look like. 

Consultation document

Proposed changes to the Organic Products and Production Regulations 2025 and the Organic Standards Regulations 2025 [PDF, 726 KB]

Related legislation

Organic Products and Production Act 2023 – NZ Legislation

Organic Products and Production Regulations 2025 – NZ Legislation

Organic Standards Regulations 2025 – NZ Legislation

Making your submission

Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 pm on 22 September 2026. 

You can make a submission using our online form or by email.

Online

Proposed changes to New Zealand’s organic regulatory framework – SurveyMonkey

Email

organicsconsultation@mpi.govt.nz

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 to 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Our privacy commitment

The Privacy Act 2020 applies to all submissions. Any personal information you provide will be used only for the purpose of informing this consultation. All submissions will be read by MPI staff. MPI may also use artificial intelligence (AI) to summarise content and identify key themes. All AI outputs will be subject to human review.

To find out about the personal information we collect, our approach to privacy and security, and your rights, refer to this web page: Privacy and security