
It is not illegal for people in New Zealand to grow their own food. A New Zealand government spokesperson confirmed there is no such law in place. Fact Check: The image shows a screen grab of a headline of an Oct. 27 article written by Investment Watch Blog that reads, “New Food Bill in New Zealand Takes Away Human Right to Grow Food.”
Is it legal to have a garden in NZ?
Apparently in New Zealand it's illegal to have a home garden w/o government permission & gardening tools are strictly regulated. W.T.F.
Is it illegal to share food you grow at home?
“There are no laws against people having gardens, or sharing food that they’ve grown at home. New food safety law (the Food Act 2014) only applies to food for sale, so has no effect on people sharing food,” it said at the time.
Should personal gardening and farming become illegal?
Many individuals do not want to see personal gardening and farming become illegal; with the help of communities they will have a chance.
Are vegetable gardening and backyard farming endangered?
There once was a time when vegetable gardening and backyard farming were not endangered; these activities were a way of life. However, with booming big agriculture business comes the need for monetary and job security, which means that threatening the productivity of big agriculture will not be tolerated.

Are vegetable gardens illegal in New Zealand?
For what it's worth, a spokesperson for New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries told BuzzFeed News that there are "no laws against people in New Zealand having gardens". "There are no laws against people having gardens, or sharing food that they've grown at home.
What foods can you grow in New Zealand?
A wide range of fruit crops are grown in New Zealand. They include oranges, lemons, avocados and persimmons, which grow in the warm north. Berries, olives and nuts grow in cooler areas....Nutswalnuts.macadamias.chestnuts.
Can you grow crops in your backyard?
'As long as you grow the fruits and vegetables for personal use, there is no limit to how much food you can grow in your backyard,' Dmitry explains.
What vegetables can you grow right now in NZ?
Spring is a good time to plant a wide range of vegetables, including asparagus, beans, bok choy, cabbage, capsicum, carrots, courgettes, kumara, spinach, sweetcorn and tomatoes.
Can you grow banana trees in NZ?
Bananas can grow well in parts of New Zealand, mostly in the north and eastern parts of the North Island but can also be found in other suitable micro-climates such as Taranaki. They have a specific set of requirements and these must be met in order to produce high quality fruit on a commercial scale.
What is the most popular vegetable in NZ?
Other vegetables may have the pip after the tomato, traditionally considered a fruit, topped the list as New Zealand's most popular vegetable.
How much of my own food can I grow?
How much food can you grow in a garden? With good soil and good growing practices, you can count on a conservative estimate of about 1 pound of food per square foot in a raised bed garden.
Can I grow vegetables in my lawn?
2:426:10Grow Vegetables in Your Lawn or Grassed Backyard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're great in salads they're great in stir-fries. In cooking sandwiches whatever they're justMoreThey're great in salads they're great in stir-fries. In cooking sandwiches whatever they're just walking around my vegetable garden I've got Tomatoes beans. I've got some coriander.
Can I plant vegetables in my backyard?
Garden vegetables can be grown from seed sown indoors in pots or trays, sown outdoors directly into the garden beds, or transplanted from starters bought at a garden center. When sowing seeds indoors in trays or pots, use a fine sterilized potting mix (do not compost or garden soil for starting seeds).
How do I start a vegetable garden NZ?
This was updated in July 2021.Deal to the weeds first. ... The best soil is so-called virgin soil. ... You don't need raised vegetable beds. ... Compost is here for a good time, not a long time. ... Site your vegetable patch in full sun. ... Use low timber or concrete block edges. ... Make your paths wide. ... Hire a rotary hoe.More items...•
Is it worth growing your own vegetables?
Growing your own vegetables can be a great way to help the environment and also save some pennies. Another bonus is that you can choose organic produce and won't have to rely on supermarkets and shops to get your veg intake.
Can I grow potatoes in winter NZ?
They can be planted in winter in warm mild districts and in early September in cold districts, but will need protection from late frosts. Popular Early Varieties are: Rocket; Swift; Cliffs Kidney; Ilam Hardy.
What fruits and vegetables are native to New Zealand?
Indigenous vegetables Examples are pūhā (sowthistle) and an acidic form of spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides). Māori traditionally consumed parts of native plants such as fern roots and cabbage tree hearts as vegetables, and introduced the kūmara (sweet potato), yam, gourd and taro.
What is New Zealand's most popular food?
New Zealand's favourite food and drinksCrayfish and seafood. Welcome to Nin's Bin, Christchurch - Canterbury. ... New Zealand lamb. ... Hāngī - food cooked under the ground. ... Fish and chips. ... New Zealand wine, beer and other drinks. ... Kiwi summer BBQ. ... New Zealand pavlova and fruit salad. ... New Zealand lollies, chocolate and sweet treats.More items...
What is the national fruit of New Zealand?
This fruit was branded kiwifruit when growers in New Zealand established successful cultivars suitable for export. It remains a major export for the country. The koru, widely used in traditional Māori art, is a stylised depiction of an unfurling silver fern frond.
What is New Zealands national dish?
Mince pies are an iconic New Zealand dish that's equally popular in Australia. It's eaten primarily as a takeaway snack and considered by many to be a national dish of New Zealand.
The Statement
A post widely shared on Facebook claims a new food bill in New Zealand “takes away (the) human right to grow food”.
The Analysis
Although the blog post is dated October 29, 2020, and refers to a “New Food Bill”, the legislation in question was introduced to the New Zealand parliament in May 2010 before passing into law as the Food Act in 2014.
The Verdict
The Food Bill does not represent “new” legislation, nor does it ban gardening and home food production. The laws were introduced in 2014, and the New Zealand government said the continued claims, such as that the regulations were formulated to comply with international mandates or control production, were “entirely false”.
The anti-gardening legislation is applied inconsistently
I grew up in Kerikeri, and I can attest to the truth of OfficerCHODEMAN’s statement – things really are more lax in some parts of the country than others. Kerikeri has plenty of gardens, tucked away in the backs of quarter-acre sections. I grew up eating fruit from hidden-in-plain-sight orchards.
Foreign films have shown us another way
If Matt Damon can freely garden on Mars, why shouldn’t we be able to do it in New Zealand?
Our gardening implements are treated as more dangerous than Americans treat guns
Even for those who can get a license, it’s nearly impossible to actually do anything worthwhile with it. Sloppy_Twat is right – as long as even licensed gardeners are treated as criminals, forced to lock their implements away in actual safes, we’ll never truly progress as a nation.
People overseas think our stupid, archaic anti-gardening laws are literally as bad as terrorism
See that, New Zealand? We just got accused of being as bad as the “islamic laws.” This can only be a reference to ISIL, and I’m pretty sure our government – who only recently were freaking out about jihadi brides – wouldn’t want the rest of the world thinking our gardening restrictions were as bad as sharia law. Would you, John Key?
What would happen if there were restrictions on the trade of food and seed?
Restrictions on the trade of food and seed would quickly lead to the permanent loss of heirloom strains, as well as a general lowering of plant diversity in agriculture.
Can growing food be denied?
Growing food for distribution must be authorised, even for “cottage industries”, and such authorisation can be denied.
Food Bill - Illegal to grow your own veggies?
Heard a discussion on the radio regarding this bill, which has been enacted in the US and the WTO is pressuring governments globally to join the band wagon. Taken from the website, http://nzfoodsecurity.org/ ,setup to oppose this bill, so take some of these points with a pinch of salt! But I believe it is serious enough to warrant opposition. - It turns a human right (to grow food and share it) into a government-authorised privilege that can be summarily revoked. - It makes it illegal to distribute “food” without authorisation, and it defines “food” in such a way that it includes nutrients, seeds, natural medicines, essential minerals and drinks (including water). - By controlling seeds, the bill takes the power to grow food away from the public and puts it in the hands of seed companies.
Is this really true about New Zealand?
Saying it is disturbing is an understatement. I just read this today: http://www.naturalnews.com/034337_Ne...an_rights.html Some people are saying that NZ is just a testing ground before moving into Australia. I really hope this does not go through.
Which states have a green lawn?
Iowa, Florida and Louisiana are among states whose government believes that a green, manicured lawn is much more appealing than growing vegetables or fruits. Des Moines, Iowa, has had recurring discussions about whether to allow for front-yard gardening.
How does factory farming affect the ocean?
Factory farming, or massive farming and intense production of animals and animal products pollutes waterways and is responsible for millions of food-borne illnesses annually. These operations pollute the world’s oceans, contaminating fish and other marine life.
Is Michigan allowing backyard farming?
With Michigan’s recent ban on backyard farming, along with many states regulating the amount of garden space individuals may have in their yard, the ability for Americans to grow their own food and feed themselves is becoming a thing of the past. The future of personal gardening and farming is in danger and may become illegal altogether.
Is backyard farming endangered?
There once was a time when vegetable gardening and backyard farming were not endangered; these activities were a way of life. However, with booming big agriculture business comes the need for monetary and job security, which means that threatening the productivity of big agriculture will not be tolerated. With Michigan’s recent ban on backyard ...
What vegetables grow in New Zealand in winter?
Growing Vegetables in the Winter Season in New Zealand. Kohlrabi. The Scientific named called Kohlrabi is Brassica oleracea gongylodes. It is similar to other brassicas like Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and Kale.
How to grow capsicums in New Zealand?
Prepare your soil with organic manure like organic compost and sheep pellets. Add a surface of vegetable mix to plant into. Feed your Capsicums daily and retain the soil moist around the growing season. Select a warm, sunny position. Spring and summer are the best periods to plant Capsicums in New Zealand.
How long does it take for courgettes to grow?
In case if you miss this: Shade Vegetable Gardening Ideas. Zucchini (Pic credit: pixabay) Grow Courgettes seeds in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks.
How much sun do vegetables need?
Full sun vegetables require a minimum of six hours normally at least eight hours of sunlight per day. For at least six hours, the sun should directly beam onto the plants closely every day of the season. Freezing weather and over clouded days are not counted.
What is the temperature in New Zealand in spring?
Colourful flowers, baby wildlife, and waterfall season make this an inspiring period of the year. Temperature is from 4.5 to 18°C.
What to plant in New Zealand before planting?
Shove in organic compost and sheep little piece before planting to replenish nutrients used by previous roots plants. Sowing seeds in the warmer portion of New Zealand use shield areas of your garden to sow seeds such as Broccoli, Broad Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Peas.
What are the three main islands in New Zealand?
It contains three main islands the North Island, the South Island, and Stewart Island . The weather in New Zealand is normally temperate but weather conditions differ greatly with each zone, the west coast of the South Island is very cold while Mackenzie Basin in Canterbury is semi-trailer and Northland is subtropical.
