It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind. – Albert Einstein.
Ahead of his time, Einstein believed that a vegetarian lifestyle positively influenced humankind and the world. This idea resonated profoundly with World Vegetarian Day on the 1st of October, marking the start of World Vegetarian Month.
Geoffrey Hodson founded the NZ Vegetarian Society (NZVS) in 1943 and served as its president until the 1970s. From the beginning, members of the NZVS have actively advocated for the humane treatment of animals and encouraged plant-based diets to reduce animal suffering.
Hodson travelled extensively, giving talks on the health and ethical benefits of vegetarianism. After 81 years of advocacy, vegetarianism and veganism have significantly grown in New Zealand.
“This month provides an excellent opportunity to promote healthy living, sustainability, and kindness to animals,” said Julia Clements, President of the NZVS.
“We need to encourage everyone to recognise that adopting vegetarian principles can create a ripple effect for positive change. In light of the climate challenges our planet faces, it is essential that we each make choices that lead to a more compassionate and sustainable future.”
The NZ Vegetarian Society has started October by encouraging everyone to try plant-based eating and start the NZVS 21-Day Plant-Based Challenge. Participants will receive recipes, nutritional information, and support to embrace a plant-based diet for 21 days.
By joining the challenge, participants will also gain NZVS membership, which includes an exclusive membership booklet featuring discounts on vegetarian-approved and Vegan-Certified products from some of New Zealand’s favourite brands.
During World Vegetarian Month, libraries across New Zealand will host informative and engaging displays to raise awareness about the benefits of vegetarianism. These displays feature a variety of resources and copies of the NZVS quarterly magazine Vegetarian Living NZ.
Community members have been invited to visit their local libraries to discover new information and gain inspiration for embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
World Vegetarian Day also marked the opening of the voting stage of the annual Think Kind student competition. In 2024, NZVS received hundreds of entries.
Voting for the top ten finalists will open to the public on the NZVS website from the 1st of October. The winner will receive $1,000 for their school, kindly sponsored by Let’s Eat, to be announced on World Vegan Day on the 1st of November.
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