Peaceful supermarket vigils are set to take place in Orewa on 31st May, as part of a growing grassroots campaign against the proposed Gene Technology (GE) Bill.
The events, organised by advocacy group GE Honesty, aim to raise public awareness about the potential impact of the bill on consumers’ rights to know what’s in their food.
Two vigils are planned in Orewa on the 31st: the first at Woolworths on Moenui Avenue from 10am to 11am, followed by a second at New World on Moana Avenue from 11:05am to noon.
The group warns that if passed, the Gene Tech Bill would eliminate mandatory GMO labelling, allowing food items to include genetically modified ingredients without disclosing it on packaging. Advocates argue this move would strip consumers of the ability to make informed food choices.
On 17th May, a similar vigil was held outside New World Victoria Park in Auckland, where campaigners were joined by Jon Carapiet, spokesperson for GE Free NZ. Speaking before delivering a letter to the store manager, Carapiet praised the store for maintaining a GE-free stance.
“We’re here to thank them [New World] first of all for having GE-free policy in all their brands, mainly PAMS.
“PAMS is the biggest product brand in New Zealand, and they have got a GE-free policy for their products – so that’s good on them. But as you know, the Gene Technology Bill is taking away the right to choose, because it’s not going to regulate a whole lot of new gene edited organisms… Without regulation, without traceability and without labelling, the right to choose for ordinary consumers is taken away,” Carapiet said.
GE Honesty is encouraging New Zealanders to contact their local MPs, sign petitions, and support supermarkets that commit to transparency in food labelling. The group hopes that the upcoming vigils will spark conversations among shoppers and send a clear message to lawmakers that public oversight on GMOs is non-negotiable.
“Will your supermarket protect your right to choose?” a recent tweet from GE Honesty asked. “Speak up now, before your choice disappears.”
Will your supermarket protect your right to choose?
⁰We met Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ before he delivered a letter to the manager of New World Vic Park in Auckland, thanking them for staying GE FREE, and reminding them that shoppers want it to stay that way.The Gene Tech… pic.twitter.com/hdBp3gdjcw
— GE Honesty (@GEHonesty) May 21, 2025
In through the back door
Smoke and mirrors
Badly thought out ill conceived if not devious and malicious derived at decisions impacting peoples lives
But after the covid debacle anything is possible
Nobody is answerable
Which is why they all went full steam ahead
Excellent start. Resist the corporate agenda, (corporatism) being used to control and enslave us.
Great to see people opposing this revolting, unsafe, undemocratic, piece of garbage legislation from National Disgrace. If they roll these protests out across NZ, I’d be more than happy to come along and show my support.
Good one 👍
They need to genetically modify politicians to make them stop lying!
Maybe they have already been modified to do just that….LOL
Next visit to your local supermarket, go to the service desk ask to see the manager and ask if they
are planning to be GE free and support safe food,.
We must apply pressure by speaking up.
The bill reads like chat GPT had an allergic reaction to the tech bros at Pfizer feeding it unrecognisable demands incompatible with Moore’s Law.
I worry about parents whose child may have an allergy, as is common; life is hard enough for them already without having to lab test every mystery meal.
Last week I pulled a good chicken casserole out of the freezer and gave it to the dog; then my dinner of leftover boil up with a side of reject baking didn’t look so good….neither were labelled.
Well done GE Honesty and Jon Carapiet. Next step is picketing the major duopoly establishments throughout the country, who wants to join me in Chch?
Who knew this?
https://x.com/NoGlyphosateNZ/status/1924015539732742153
They could double up and look out for shoplifters too
Maybe we could make it an offense for only stealing only over $500.00 worth of items
That shouldn’t put Our cost of living up too much
Insurance premiums are escalating exponentially
Now that insurance company’s have threatened to leave NZ may have given them carte blanche to test the waters and charge what they want
Probably all Owned by the same people anyway
Like Central Banks and wheelie bins
And who is getting the runaround?
Rates power insurance
All on a roller coaster ride
Which can’t go on forever