NZ Vegetarian Society

Right next to largest spiritual library in NZ. They do good work for helping animals
Nov 18th, 2022

Feb 6th, 2019

Aug 18th, 2017

I tried to join, but the rules for membership are out of touch with modern reality. The reason people will come to vegetarianism in ever increasing numbers is the urgent need to counter rapid climate change. 31% of NZ's greenhouse gas emissions come from intensive animal farming (19% from transport burning fossil fuels.) Most of the environmental and oceanic degradation that besets us, likewise comes from commercial fisheries, intensive dairying and other animal based dietary indulgences. As awareness of climate change and our government's pathetic response to it, spreads through the population, everyone will have to draw their individual lines as to how they alter their diets. I eat eggs from my own free-range hens. Every year I cull the flock of 20-30 geese I keep for grass control in my pear orchard. Rather than disrespectfully use the year's goose crop for fertiliser - I eat it. I also, two or three times a year, put on a wet-suit and gather shellfish from a remote section of coast. I never touch farmed meats or dairy products and I never buy sea-foods - other than seaweed. I am doing what vegetarianism is all about with minimal environmental impact - but I still do not qualify for membership of the NZ Vegetarian Society. The Society, which could be a most positive agent for desperately needed social change, needs to open its arms to a wider selection of dietary compromises.
Sep 3rd, 2015