Growth of NZ Vegetarian Society

Vegetarian World Interest

The 1990s saw an upsurge of interest in vegetarianism as a healthier, more humane and less ecologically-damaging way of life. A special seminar on vegetarianism was held in Auckland to mark the 50th anniversary of the NZ Vegetarian Society (1993). Sir Paul and Lady Linda McCartney visited New Zealand (1993) and their tour at that time helped focus public attention on vegetarianism. The number of inquiries from schools and young people who are questioning the unnecessary cruelty of killing animals for food has continued to increase as has the interest in businesses in promoting "vegetarian friendly" products. The NZ Vegetarian Society gained the licence to market and promote the "Approved" trademark or seedling device owned by the UK Vegetarian Society in 1995/96 and is at present embarking on a special promotional push to increase awareness of the trademark in the market place.

People are becoming more and more aware of the interconnectedness of our food, our health, our environment and the welfare of the world, as well as the unnecessary cruelty involved in meat production. If you would like more information on these topics, please check the appropriate pages.

Nearly 60 years of spreading the word

The NZ Vegetarian Society began in 1943.

That the Vegetarian Society has nearly reached its 60th year is a tribute to the loyalty and longevity of its founders. Not only was its founder the President for 26 years, but its Secretary Myra Fraser, filled that position for 30 years. Members of the present Executive have similar records.

This small turnover of workers has given the Society great stability, and the enthusiasm and loyalty of all the Executive members throughout the Society’s history has enabled the steady spread of a knowledge of vegetarianism to an increasingly aware and accepting public.

Beginnings

1943 saw the birth of the NZ Vegetarian Society, with its members’ meeting being held in Auckland on May 24th of that year. Mr. Geoffrey Hodson was one of the prime movers in the founding of the Society, and, indeed, was its founding president – a position he filled until 1969.

The membership doubled in 3 years to reach 400 in 1946 when there were (to quote from the first Bulletin) ‘eight Groups with properly appointed Group Secretaries at Hamilton, Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill; and four Branches of the Society in Auckland, Wanganui, Wellington, and Christchurch – each with their duly appointed officers and Executive Committees’ as well as a number of general members not affiliated with any branch or group.

Busy Years

The next few years were busy —
Setting up the Combined Animal Welfare organisation (Geoffrey Hodson was its President and Sandra Chase its Secretary – Sandra was already Vice-President of the NZ Vegetarian Society):
Working out a new set of Rules and Constitution (accepted at the Conference in Dunedin in January 1948);
Geoffrey Hodson visited the Auckland Abattoirs and was so horrified by the conditions there that he started the campaign for the introduction of ‘humane killing’ (the stunning of all animals with a captive bolt pistol before killing). This campaign was successful in 1951 with the passing of the Slaughter of Stock Regulation that year;
The newly formed Australian Vegetarian society asked Geoffrey to launch a similar campaign in NSW, Australia in 1951;
Branches and Groups flourished during the early years, arranging public lectures, cooking demonstrations, radio broadcasts etc and maintaining a close association with Australian Vegetarian Society;
Throughout these early years the NZ Vegetarian Society was very involved in World Week for Animals (first week of each October), organising activities and poster competitions in schools throughout New Zealand.

Local Scene

From 1958 to 1978 Branches and Groups (Centres) of the Society variously flourished and faded, arranging cooking demonstrations, public lectures, radio broadcasts, television coverage for various activities, social and other activities; the National Executive produced a letter explaining the vegetarian diet for members to take with them if hospitalised; Geoffrey Hodson’s marriage to Sandra Chase is reported in the Secretary’s Report for 1963.

Three day radio, TV and print media coverage of a visit by Satya Bakshi, Catering Manager for Air India, and cooking demonstrations etc; Conrad Jamieson was elected as the National president of the Society in 1969; the Postal library service was set up in 1974; T-shirts were added to the "Bookshop" items; and the Automobile Association agreed to include NZ hotels willing to cater for vegetarians in their accommodation handbook. The "Home Tried Favourites" recipe book, which is of great benefit to the Society’s finances, was first produced by the Auckland Branch in 1978.

From then on activities and happenings include – a stall at the Sweetwater Festival in Ngaruawahia (1980); first celebration of World Vegetarian Day on October 1st in New Zealand (1981); and Geoffrey Hodson, the founding president, died in his 97th year (1983).

Wellington and Christchurch Branches were reformed in the late 1980s after a number of years in recess. Christchurch Branch was mentioned on TV3 News with their seminar on vegetarianism, and in 1984 "The Vegetarian World" programme was shown on television. The president of the International Vegetarian Union Dr Gordon Latto and his wife Dr Barbara Latto also visited N.Z.

Ansett Airlines were given assistance with their in-flight vegetarian/vegan meals, and the NZ Vegetarian Society became a regular participator in the Healthy Lifestyle Seminar in Auckland (and took part for the 10 years of its existence); and the "Approved" trademark for vegetarian food was launched in Australia, and later in New Zealand (1995/96).

Advancing the Cause

At an early Member’s Symposium of the Auckland Branch to discuss ‘How to advance the vegetarian cause in Auckland and throughout New Zealand’ members generally felt that ignorance of basic facts was a danger to the cause and it was suggested the members should make themselves familiar with different aspects of the subject (vegetarianism) from the great deal of literature available on all points. Other suggestions included petitioning the Government to lift restrictions on health foods; compiling a book of attractive, easy to prepare recipes; and how important it was that slaughterhouse conditions be made known to the general public.

At the 13th Annual Conference, Geoffrey Hodson and Miss G. Hemus (long-time Treasurer of the Society) were made Honorary Life Members of the Society in recognition of their enthusiastic work over many years and also in recognition of the many pamphlets and books written for the Society by Geoffrey Hodson.

With the formation of the NZ Vegetarian Society, an official quarterly magazine called "The New Zealand Vegetarian" was produced, printed and sent to all members. Four editors have been involved with the NZ Vegetarian during its history – first Mrs. Ethel Shearman of Christchurch, followed by Mrs. Roma Dunningham of Auckland, (with enlarged, two-colour magazine costing non-members 9d), next was Mrs Truda Burrell of Dunedin (different format again), and today the present editor is Mrs Margaret Johns of Auckland.

The start of the new millenium saw the opening of the society's first national office & Vegetarian Centre at 10 Warborough Avenue, Epsom, Auckland.