The NZHIA 2024 Media Campaign – Part III : A new industry for Aotearoa

Industrial Hemp (iHemp) is poised to become a game-changer for Aotearoa/New Zealand, offering immense potential for the Farmers, Food, Fibre, and Wellness sectors. This remarkable plant has the power to transform our economy and environment, and the time to act is now.

iHemp cultivation can drive regional development. It thrives in various climates, making it an excellent rotational crop and a key player in climate change adaptation. Additionally, it can improve soil health through phytoremediation, helping to clean and condition soils while offering a new horticultural industry, using the leaf and flowering tops, complimenting the arable industry for seed and fiber

iHemp ticks all the boxes—job creation, increased productivity, environmental benefits, and helping meet government goals of doubling exports in the next 10 years. It’s a win-win for everyone, and there’s no time to waste.

Call to Action

Get involved!

1. Contact your MP/Mayor and tell them about the benefits of iHemp. Use this template letter or create your own—take action today!
2. Share the good news. Support your local industry. At your next BBQ, ask your friends and family if they know about iHemp and its incredible potential for New Zealand.
3. Help educate the public. Support the NZ Hemp Industries Association (NZHIA) by joining, purchasing our iHemp bags and spreading the word.
4. Join the conversation online. Follow our campaign, share posts, and educate your network

Feel strongly about the environment, economy, food, and housing? Take action today.

Why iHemp Matters

We need to educate consumers about these benefits, lets make it a topic around the BBQ this summer, and if you are interested in NZ hemp products and businesses, (LINK to catalogue is coming, email us if you want to be listed in the annual catalogue) – this is your chance to support the industry

iHemp is more than just a crop; it’s part of the solution to some of New Zealand’s biggest challenges. It supports sustainable agriculture, offers eco-friendly construction materials, and produces nutritious food. And its benefits extend to health/wellness products, animal feed and pet nutrition too.

iHemp can feed, clothe, and house people, making it a versatile crop with potential in various industries. The Wellness sector stands to benefit from a new horticultural industry, particularly from hemp-derived cannabinoids CBD, terpenes and flavonoids which can support health and wellness initiatives and innovation.

iHemp’s Potential for Farmers and the Environment

Farmers are already showing interest in iHemp, especially its ability to enhance soil health and act as a climate-resilient crop. Hemp offers new materials and markets while producing fewer emissions by being a valuable addition to feed with its protein-rich seeds. Phytoremediation—the ability of hemp to clean soil—could also make it a key crop for sustainable farming.

A Regulatory Shift is Needed

iHemp is not a drug crop, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) has no place regulating farming and primary industries. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) or Ministry of Regulation should be leading this industry, allowing for proper agricultural and economic development.

The aim of the 2024/2025 summer media campaign is to put pressure on the government to announce a review of the iHemp regulations in this election cycle. If by February we have not had a number of MP’s coming out for iHemp, then we will focus on the media and get them to ask the MP’s and Ministers, the hard questions will you support/enable the iHemp industry …….

Call to Action

Now it’s your turn as part of the Hemp Army to take action and make first contact on behalf of iHemp. The Hemp Army is made up of people who are aware and interested in the iHemp industry and willing to take action.

Let’s push for change and make sure your region is represented in the emerging industry government. Contact your local MP or Mayor and Ask them if they support a local industry being developed in their region

Send them a clear message: get iHemp out of the Misuse of Drugs Act and Medicines Act. Allow New Zealand to unlock the economic and environmental opportunities this industry provides.

There are 3 ways you can help; please act and do one:

1) Contact your MP and Mayor with a simple letter demanding change

We’ve provided a standard letter template that you can personalize or use as is. Simply click the link below to generate your letter, and send it directly to your local MP (MP list here) or Mayor (list of mayors here)

Let’s make our voices heard and ensure that the iHemp industry is no longer weighed down by outdated regulations. If you want to make more of an impact you can also send it to more government organisations and triple your impact. below is the link for the list of MPs and government contacts;

2) Contact the government with your own letter demanding change

If you want to write your own letter or use Chat GPT we suggest adding this keyword information to start creating your letter

3) Contact Your MP or Mayor with a personalised letter demanding change

We understand that you may not have the resources (or time) to create a personalised communication, but the association wants to help its members and network in any way we can. We can create a personalised letter from your industry perspective for only $3.00! To learn more about this service, please visit the link below. For those looking to make an even bigger impact, we also offer a comprehensive package for $360 that includes personalised letters addressed to all MPs.

The government needs to get out of the way—let’s remove iHemp from MODA and the Medicines Act, and move forward into a sustainable future for New Zealand.

There’s no good reason to continue holding iHemp back. The time is now for the government to remove the barriers and support an industry that can deliver for Aotearoa.

To see a review of the 3 part media campaign click here

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Resources:

• Standard letter template link
• Links to MPs, Ministry of Health, Ministry for Primary Industries
• Full report on iHemp economic opportunities (MPI report)
• NZHIA Investor report (Full version or Snapshot version)

Feel strongly about the environment, economy, food, and housing? Take action today.