GE Free NZ in Food and Environment

GE Free NZ in Food and Environment GE-Free New Zealand in food & environment is a non-profit organisation. www.gefree.org.nz Provide valuable information resource to member & the public (e.g.

We use our resources to raise awareness about the concerns around having Genetically Engineered [GE] organisms in the NZ food and environment. Our activities include:

Newsletter which includes the newest information about developments concerning Genetic Engineering - local - national - international. Monitoring applications for GE-crops or foods, writing submissions to and attending hearings at

ERMA ( Environmental Risk Management Authority, FSANZ and NZFSA (Food Standards Australia New Zealand and New Zealand Food Safety Authority) ( Australian New Zealand Food Authority)

Advice and assistance with submissions on GE issues

Writing and presenting a subission & calling witnesses - opposed to the introduction of Genetic Engineering in New Zealand

Enlisting public support for helping keep GE out of our environment requesting major food producers to label/go GE-free. website, info for public libraries, public meetings, public awareness activities)

16/06/2026

The Primary Production has received all our submission and we are waiting to see how many were received. Thank you everyone for making your submissions to the HSNO amendment bill which has strong reflections of the Gene Technology bill. Please keep an eye out for a petition to Stop the Bill. We will need your signatures.

Final day to make a submission on the proposed HSNO amendments tomorrow by 11.59pm Monday 15 JuneRNZ interviewed New Zea...
14/06/2026

Final day to make a submission on the proposed HSNO amendments tomorrow by 11.59pm Monday 15 June

RNZ interviewed New Zealand First leader Winston Peters who has come out reiterating their concerns to the risks to New Zealand’s GE Free status from the Gene Technology Bill expressing concern over the threat to New Zealand GE Free status without the requisite safeguards that economically would undermine our export trade.

Their concerns, however, did not cover the HSNO Amendment Bill that is before the Primary Production Select committee and NZFirst is not on the committee. The HSNO Amendment Bill undermines the existing strong GE Free protections by allowing genetically engineered (GE) organisms to be discretionally approved on a ranked process that removes public consultation.

Leading Crown Research scientists have admitted that the inclement weather patterns wind and floods with earthquakes would spread genetically modified contamination that could not be contained.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/598158/nz-first-says-overhaul-of-gmo-laws-unlikely-before-election

Organic NZ GE Honesty Safe Food Campaign NZ RCR Reality Check Radio NZ RNZ

The Gene Technology Bill seeks to end an effective 30-year ban on the use of technologies like gene editing outside the laboratory.

13/06/2026

Genetically Modified Ketchup: Heinz Ketchup just got the “Contains Bioengineered Food Ingredients” label.

Your family’s trusted BBQ and burger staple is now officially Frankenstein food.

That’s mostly GMO high fructose corn syrup (92%+ of U.S. corn is bioengineered) + sugars from bioengineered sugarcane and sugar beets that spike blood sugar, fuel inflammation, and mess with hormones & gut health.

Plus a non-disclosed secret proprietary blend of 'natural flavors' that is kept from public knowledge.

You thought you were just squeezing tomatoes… but you’re feeding your kids ultra-processed junk while the brand keeps the same nostalgic red bottle.

Ditch it. Make your own in 5 minutes.

Quick Homemade Ketchup (no HFCS, no GMOs):
• 1 small jar (6 oz) tomato paste
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2–3 Tbsp maple syrup or honey (to taste)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp mustard powder
• Pinch black pepper + optional cayenne

Mix until smooth. Stores in fridge for weeks and tastes way better.

Throw out the Heinz. Make homemade instead.

11/06/2026

4 days left to go,

10/06/2026

wonderful day at Field Days

09/06/2026

Three bills - one big picture.

There's now not only the Gene Tech Bill, but also two other bills that seek to loosen laws around genetic engineering.

Find out more! Organics Aotearoa New Zealand is hosting a webinar tomorrow evening, Weds 10 June at 7.30, all welcome.

Come along and hear some experts talk about these bills and what they could mean for farmers and growers, for consumers, for the environment.

READ MORE HERE - also includes links to register for the webinar, and to make submissions on the two new bills.
https://www.oanz.org/new-blog/three-bills-one-big-picture-what-the-hsno-and-acvm-amendment-bills-mean-for-organic

Great website on Global GM issues
08/06/2026

Great website on Global GM issues

Latest news on GMO food, GMO crops, GMO labelling and genetically modified organisms

07/06/2026

🧬GE ALERT: Gene Tech Bill by stealth?🧬

Alarm bells are ringing as a new bill may introduce aspects of the Gene Technology Bill under another name: the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Amendment Bill.

This seeks to change the existing genetic engineering law, (the HSNO Act) that governs genetic engineering. The time frame for submissions is far too tight and does not allow proper scrutiny of the bill.

Submissions are due by Monday 15 June 2026, 11.59pm. READ ON for more info.

The bill would loosen restrictions, and allow the regulator much wider powers without public consultation or scrutiny. There’s also a related Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Bill.

The HSNO bill introduces language not used in global regulation like "denew" and "vagrant", with no definitions.

SUBMISSIONS for both are due by 15 JUNE! Please act now. GE Free NZ in Food and Environment has good info and link to a submission template on their home page here: https://www.gefree.org.nz/

Check out their own submission here:
https://www.gefree.org.nz/assets/Uploads/GE-Free-submission-HSNO-Amendment-Bill-.pdf

Links to the bills on the parliamentary website are in comments below. Please share widely!

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