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Delicious organic food, a Gala Dinner, a Trade Expo and more will draw the crowds to the Wellington waterfront in November.

The two-day organic celebration based at the Wellington Events Centre is being organized to launch OANZ, New Zealand’s new umbrella organic group. 

Open to the public, Wellington government and business people, and with strong support expected from the world of organics, the launch of OANZ — Organics Aotearoa New Zealand — promises to be a significant landmark in the history of New Zealand organics. 

To OANZ story.   

To programme updates

OANZ Expo
The launch will include the OANZ Expo where an expected 60 plus exhibitors will present their goods and services to shoppers giving them a golden opportunity to find out what’s on offer in New Zealand organics today.

The OANZ Launch begins on Friday November 4 at 7am with a breakfast for exhibitors, sector leaders and the organic media.

From Grower to International Trader
The featured guest, Peter Segger, founder of Organic Farm Foods Ltd, UK — a main player in the UK organic sector - will speak at the breakfast.

Passionate about organics, with a good sense of humour, and a background ranging from grower to international trader (he is a frequent visitor to New Zealand) Mr Segger promises to be an inspiring speaker.

This breakfast session is aimed at informing stakeholders and creating an atmosphere of inclusion, and will include a question time as well as the chance to network.

Largest Wave
OANZ says the organic industry now faces the largest wave of growth and development it has ever seen and to ride the wave successfully, the different organic interests need to be paddling together in the same direction on the one big vessel — OANZ.

Event organizer, Bill Quinn of Organic Promotions says that while people know their own part of the sector they often fail to comprehend the whole and are limited in opportunity by this, economically and socially. “This in turn limits the potential of the whole sector.”

The Launch has been designed to set the scene for future unity.

Trade Expo  
Following the opening breakfast, the OANZ Expo will kick off at the events centre. The Expo will be open at first to invited politicians, non-organic agricultural leaders, leading retail controllers, business leaders and the media.

Exhibits will include food, beverage, fibre, production inputs, services, marketers and more, and a range of displays will show the economic, environmental and social gain to the nation from the organic industry worth at 2002 figures $140 million, $70 million of it through export.  

Fingerfood Buffet
Those gathered will be there for the official welcome and launch of OANZ and can then network while enjoying an organic fingerfood buffet for lunch. The buffet will showcase the wide range of organic products, and the delicious tastes and textures of organic food.

Government and business
The OANZ Expo opens to the public at 12.30pm on the Friday.  Also on offer will be a range of seminars covering both the economic and social aspects of organics. Government and business people from all levels, including visitors to the capital, are expected to visit the Expo on this day, during work hours.

Organisers are anticipating this afternoon with the movers and shakers of central Wellington will enable an exchange of ideas and influences which will help advance the growth of the organic industry.

 
OANZ Gala Banquet & Awards
Friday night will provide more opportunity to mingle with drinks followed by the OANZ Gala Banquet and the presentation of industry awards at the Wellington Town Hall.

A brief talk from Peter Segger along with fine food and beverages, good company, music and dancing and a three course extravaganza of organic delights will satisfy both the palate and the soul.

Celebrities
On Saturday, the OANZ Expo will again be open to the public. Celebrities will help celebrate organics with activities such as wine tasting, eco-friendly art, rolling organic icecream cones, making organic desserts and preparing organic cuisine.                                                                                        

More seminars covering the range of organic topics from product to research, perceptions to economics, food and beverage, the environment and more will run throughout the day.

Fireworks
The waterfront location will mean that once the Expo closes at 8.30pm, visitors will be in a prime position to finish off the day in high spirits with the Wellington city fireworks display at 9pm.

Location & Sites
The Wellington Events Centre has a high profile, giving OANZ - and individual organic businesses - a chance to make their impression on the Wellington psyche, and from there, on the national consciousness.

A range of sites are available for exhibitors from 6m X 3m to $40 to hang a poster. Click here for exhibitor and site info.

Launch Programme  
The event programme will be updated on Organic Pathways as November gets closer - See full Programme 

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Photos of the Events Centre courtesy of 'The Events Centre Wellington' and of the Town Hall  courtesy of the 'Wellington Convention Centre.