The Organic Grocer

New to Wellington is The Organic Grocer, located on the lower slopes of Ngaio Gorge Road (with free parking outside!).

The shop's interior is sleek, modern and uncluttered.... it's first class! and finally an organic cafe near central Wellington :)

Whether you're popping in for a coffee with friends or you're filling up your trolley with your weekly shop, The Organic Grocer provides you with the best quality natural and organic products plus the rewards of healthier and happier living. The Organic Grocer - 100% good for you.

Aroha Organic Goat Cheese

Located in Te Aroha New Zealand, Aroha Organic Goat Cheese is a
BIO GRO certified Goat's Cheese.

Don't these pictures of their baby goats (kids!) just make your heart melt!


Aroha Organic Goat Cheese is a speciality product with each cheese handcrafted using only methods that are one with nature. It is a round (wheel shaped) firm cheese a bit similar to the famous Dutch Gouda cheese but then made from organic goat milk.

Aroha only make cheeses from their own organic goat`s milk so between May and July their girls are on maternity leave and having a rest to prepare themselves for kidding in July.

Beware of Cheap Firewood!

Beware of neighbours offering you free firewood or traders selling building offcuts on Trade Me.
Building offcuts are always treated timber which is illegal to burn (for good reason).

"A Government-funded study released recently by the Ministry for the Environment confirms that air pollution from home heating, transport and industry causes almost 1,000 premature deaths in New Zealand each year and costs around $1.1 billion a year."
http://www.gw.govt.nz/story23209.cfm

I have mentioned this practice to TM and hopefully this will be brought to a halt.

If you notice anyone burning treated timber, you can report them to your local Regional Council (they will have a Freephone number) . Link to Regional Councils.

Latest in a series of "Made in China" product recalls

Fisher Price Character toys - see Consumer 3rd August
Toothpaste - see Consumer 15 June
Thomas The Tank Engine - see Consumer 14 June

So how does the average parent know that wooden toys which are labelled "non-toxic", have been subjected to regular testing by the importer and are really non-toxic (and lead free?)

You don't according to Green Party spokeswoman, Sue Kedgely:
"Our consumer protection scheme is reactive, seemingly only responding when a scandal breaks overseas. It appears to be based on the notion all consumer products sold in New Zealand are safe and true to label – obviously naive, in the wake of recent controversy." (Stuff.co.nz)

What are the alternatives?
The only safe option seems to be to stick to:
- toys made in NZ
- wooden toys with eco-friendly non-toxic finishes

Alternatively, you can buy lead paint testing kits from paint stores ... but that seems a bit extreme.

Read about how high lead levels can affect young children.

Postscript: Some toys in NZ carry the CE mark. The CE mark is a declaration on manufactured products sold in the European Union (EU) that the item meets all the requirements of relevant EU directives. (http://www.marketnewzealand.com/MNZ/Services/14424.aspx)