About Brown Owl
Brown Owl's dedicated staff and committee members work hard to bring you the organic food you love.
We are a non-profit organisation that began as a co-op over 12 years ago, and are still served by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about organic food and community.
Our Annual General Meeting happens in winter each year, and we ask all members to please make an effort to attend. We need your input and it's a great chance to meet other members.
If you would like to get more involved, volunteer a few hours a week or have an important idea to share, please contact us at operations@brownowl.nz
Team Brown Owl
Te Aroha Goodwin
Operations Manager & Shop Manager
I hope to see you instore sometime, or you can email me on operations@brownowl.nz
Vicky Armstrong
Senior Retail Assistant
After long-time volunteer work with us, we're pleased that Vicky is now the main face of Brown Owl in our retail store, where she brings her mindfulness of the importance of wholesome food, grown organically, and the nutritional benefits to our health and well-being. Vicky says she feels fortunate to be part of the Brown Owl team, and we certainly feel lucky to have her putting the sunshine in customers' days as she 'goes the extra mile' for them – and for us.
As a qualified herbalist, Vicky has a background in natural health and herbal manufacturing. She is equally passionate about animals (especially dogs) and is an advocate of raw feeding. She believes good nutrition is not only integral to our health, but our pets' too. When she's not organising the shop Vicky likes to spend time in nature exploring the forests and lakes: "This is my happy place and offers time to reflect."
Janine Cotter
Chairperson & Shop Volunteer
Brown Owl founder, mother, small farm-holder, former Rudolf Steiner kindergarten teacher, Janine has always been attracted to everything natural. She believes that there is a real need in Rotorua to enhance our health and wellbeing through eating safe, nutritious food, so in 2010 she formed Brown Owl in order to make it affordable to do so. She has been deeply inspired by the permaculture movement.
Dina Wickers
Treasurer
My background and expertise is in Administration Management, Business Support, and Information Management. Beyond numbers and balance sheets, my passion lies in promoting natural health and wellbeing. As founder of Goodness Me! by Dee, I’m all about empowering natural health journeys, mostly through hands-on fermenting workshops, educating on gut health and embracing holistic wellbeing. I’m delighted to be supporting the wonderful organic service provided by Brown Owl to the Rotorua community.
Johnelle Hosking
Committee Member – Secretary
I'm a Career and Business Confidence Coach who has been empowering individuals since 2016. I have dedicated my career to helping women, in particular, take charge of their financial futures through career progression and business development. I absolutely love the mission of Brown Owl Organics and love doing my bit for the local community.
Anja Telfer
Bagging Manager, Committee Member
Organic & Local
#brownowlorganics
