The four terms, compared
These words get used loosely on labels and menus, so here's what each actually describes.
| Term | What it describes | Mangaroa |
|---|---|---|
| Regenerative | A whole-farm system aimed at improving soil, pasture and biodiversity over time. Outcome-based — not a single legal certification. | Yes |
| Organic (certified) | A legally regulated certification in NZ about approved inputs and standards, verified by a certifier. | No — not certified |
| Grass-fed | Describes the animal’s diet: grass and forage rather than grain. Can be claimed and substantiated. | Yes |
| Pasture-raised | Describes how the animal lives: out on pasture rather than in a feedlot. | Yes |
So is regenerative meat organic?
No — and it's important to be honest about that. In New Zealand, "organic" claims are regulated, and a producer shouldn't call their meat organic unless it's certified. Regenerative farming isn't a certification; it's a set of practices and outcomes. The two can go together, but one doesn't imply the other. We don't use the word "organic" for our meat because we aren't certified — instead we tell you exactly how we farm and let you judge.
If you're shopping "organic", here's what you might really want
Most people who search for organic meat are after a few underlying things:
- Transparency — knowing where the meat came from and how the animal was raised.
- No nasties — no added hormones or GMO feed (both true of our beef and lamb).
- Care for the land and animals — farming that isn't extractive.
- A real, traceable chain — not an anonymous supermarket supply line.
A regenerative, farm-direct producer can show you all of that directly — often more transparently than a certification label alone. You can trace every cut back to our paddock, and you're welcome to visit the farm.
How to spot genuinely regenerative meat
- A named, identifiable farm you can look up (and ideally visit).
- Specific described practices — grazing method, ground cover, feed, animal-health approach — not vague "eco" wording.
- A short, traceable supply chain from paddock to pack.
- Honesty about what is and isn't claimed.