About

About Zing Bokashi

Empowering people to lead sustainable lives by reducing their environmental footprint

Our story

We have always been passionate about gardening and protecting the environment, but until we purchased Zing Bokashi from the original owner Neville Burt in 2018 we didn’t know much about the importance of soil nutrients and how this impacts plants throughout the growing process.

As soon as we started talking to Neville (aka Mr Bokashi), we knew the business was perfect for us. We wanted to create a positive impact on the world around us, while teaching our children about the importance of reducing our environmental footprint by reusing food waste. Zing Bokashi’s ability to turn food waste into high quality compost that creates nutrient rich soil and thriving vegetable gardens matched our vision.

We shared Neville’s values and believed in what he had created, especially when we learned more about the product range. It took months to learn how to make the product and the joy of creating something that improves the earth has stayed with us as we continue sharing the benefits of Zing Bokashi with thousands of customers across New Zealand.

New Zealand’s original Bokashi

In 1999 the word Bokashi was unknown in New Zealand but that was all about to change thanks to horticulturist Neville Burt (aka Mr Bokashi).

While visiting an organic farm, Neville learned about the positive impact of beneficial microorganisms for vegetable growing and this started his Bokashi product development journey.

With help from a Japanese technician, Neville developed New Zealand’s first Bokashi product which he tested out on his organic vegetable business. After several product trials which he ran in conjunction with Lincoln University, Neville produced a commercially viable product which became Earth Zing. This cutting edge product helped Neville become a finalist in the 2003 Ballance Environmental Farm Awards.

In 2000, Neville created Compost Zing to assist with a Christchurch City Council kerbside food waste trial. Following the success of this trial, other councils throughout New Zealand started endorsing the product.

Zing Bokashi has won a number of awards in recent years including: runner-up at the South Island New Zealand Sustainable Business Awards (2019), a commendation award at the NZI Sustainable Business Awards (2016), New Zealand Made hero award (2017) and a product of the month award for Buy NZ (May 2018).

Neville continues to work closely with Michelle as an expert advisor and trusted mentor. Well known throughout New Zealand as “Mr Bokashi”, Neville shares his in-depth knowledge of gardening and Bokashi in his popular monthly blog posts.