Olives New Zealand is an organization that supports and promotes the country's olive industry.

Established in 1996, their mission is to foster a healthy environment for olive growers to produce premium quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil and olive products.

Central Otago Visit May 2025

Olives NZ Executive Officer, Emma Glover, came and visited the region and met with and visited some of the Olives NZ members in the area - we have 11 members in Otago, most are also COOG members.

Not only did Emma leave with a better understanding of the Community Pressing Day, she was an awesome help at the weighing table with Jannette. 

It seems over the years there have been a number of discussions about the two groups joining or affiliating but this has never come to fruition.

Individual members are free to join Olive NZ at any time.

Local growers, Michael and Jannette Hope, joined as an easy way to get their Olive Oil both chemically and sensory tested as Extra Virgin. (Olives NZ send the samples to Australia for testing as there is no formally recognised sensory panel in NZ). Once confirmed EVOO you can use the Olives NZ Red Sticker Certification label.

• After confirming your oil is EVOO, you are welcome to enter the Olives NZ Awards - being judged and compared to other entries - with the possibility of earning a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal. They have Commercial and Boutique categories, and they are proposing a Hobby section. Michael and Jannette have had their oil tested the last two years, and entered the Awards and won a Silver and Gold respectively. It has been a great feeling for them to know they are producing a nationally excellent product.

• Olives NZ have a regular newsletter, and Field-days in the regions, along with a Conference every two years. There is currently no Otago Sub-Branch but they do have branches in Canterbury and Nelson.

• The second reason membership has assisted Michael and Jannette is compliance with the Food Act so they can bottle their own oil for sale. Any grower can bottle oil for their own use or to sell at their own gate - no licensing required. As soon as you want to retail online or from a retail outlet - you must comply with a National Food Programme. Bottling of oil is a NP3 Food programme - with its requirements and rules - a benefit of joining Olives NZ is that by being a member we only need to comply with a NP1 which has simpler requirements. We will write another Article one day about the NP1 and NP3 programmes. NP1 means simpler requirements including a once ever inspection and no re-inspections. The CODC are helpful in this regard, and remember a food-plan registers the operators not the facilities - so many of your home kitchens and facilities will be compliant with NP1 — you don’t need a sterilising dishwasher or stainless steel areas and coved floors etc.

OLIVES NZ

Key Objectives:

- Promote the Industry: Olives New Zealand aims to promote all aspects of the olive industry, both nationally and internationally.

- Quality Standards: They set and maintain quality standards for New Zealand-produced olive products, ensuring consumers receive the best.

- Research and Development: The organization supports quality research and development to create a sustainable olive industry.

- Consumer Awareness: Olives New Zealand promotes the benefits of New Zealand olive products and creates awareness among consumers.

Certification and Quality Guarantee:

- OliveMark: Olives New Zealand offers the OliveMark certification, guaranteeing 100% New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

- Quality Assurance: Members' products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet international standards.

Membership and Community:

- 150+ Members: Olives New Zealand has over 150 members, including olive growers, processors, suppliers, and enthusiasts.

- Networking Opportunities: Members can connect, share ideas, and learn from each other's experiences.

Supporting Local Growers:

- Find Local Producers: Olives New Zealand provides a platform for consumers to find local olive oil producers and learn about their products.

- Freshness Guaranteed: New Zealand olive oil is known for its freshness, with many producers offering oil within weeks of pressing.