pure NZ

Public talk – 11am, Saturday 6th June at Silo Park. (Free)

Curator’s talk about the exhibition: History, Technology and Scale.

The photographs in pure NZ recall events that span over 25 years and helped define New Zealand’s identity.

The GE-free movement is a fight for regulation of Genetic Engineering (GE) / Genetic Modification (GM). Its aim is to protect nature, health and the right to choose natural food.

GE-Free is part of New Zealand’s history of people’s movements that includes establishing the right of women to vote, fighting against apartheid and keeping New Zealand nuclear-free.

Staying GE-Free has turned out to be an economic asset.

Today, the kiwi celebrities who took part in “Up Against the Wall” can be considered economic heroes.

People around the world want what New Zealand has to offer.

New Zealand is not pure. We urgently need to do better because our economy relies on our reputation.

GE-free is part of the New Zealand story, with a reputation built on trust in our safe, natural food.

But that is under threat from a push by industry to relax regulations and release GMOs.

Our exports, environment and the future of food are at risk from The Gene Technology Bill.

New proposals to change the current legislation (The HSNO Act) are no better.

We must have guardrails to prevent GE contamination and animal cruelty.

There is a history of experiments under the HSNO Act that must not be repeated.

There must be strict regulation to protect future generations.

The risks to people and the environment are growing as GE is combined with AI, nanotechnology and synthetic biology. With great power comes great responsibility.