Fair Trade Decision A step Forward

Fair Trade Decision A step Forward

Tonight Wellington City Council UNANIMOUSLY voted to agree the goal of being a Fair Trade City and to take the necessary steps to get there!

Cr Celia Wade-Brown, a member of the local steering group promoting Fair Trade, says "I'm delighted Welligtno City Council has taken this step. Fair Trade businesses have continued to flourish despite the recession, showing that social responsibility and business success can go hand-in-hand."

The Mayor successfully moved a resolution at Council on September 17th, making us the first  Free Trade Capital City in the Southern Hemisphere and the first New Zealand Fair Trade City. Pressure from Dunedin City Council's aspirations to become a Fair Trade City was cited as a reason for moving with some urgency to assure our place as a leading and innovative city in this respect.

Wellington has already achieved all the other necessary steps - Fair Trade products are available in more than a hundred retail outlets, including cafes such as Finc, TradeAid, Peoples Coffee, Celcius Coffee, Starfish, Kowtow and Commonsense Organics. Fair Trade products are used in a range of workplaces, schools and community groups, there has been positive media coverage and there is a local steering group to support progress.

Now Council must work towards providing a choice of Fair Trade tea and coffee at public meetings and for staff. Several departments already buy Fair Trade coffee and its purchase is compatible with Council's procurement standards. There are plenty of choices of supplier in Wellington.

Cr Wade-Brown says "While many Wellingtonians can still afford to enjoy a cup of coffee in our world-class cafe culture, we can also feel pleased that growers are receiving a fair price for the beans. We all have a responsibility to think about where our purchases come from and what impact is caused by their production."

Fair Trade is a way out of the poverty trap for growers and their families. Commodity prices are volatile and can leave farmers without enough income for their health and education needs. Fair Trade organisations are independently certified.

Other Fair Trade cities include London, Yarra and Manly.

See www.fairtrade.org.nz for details of Fair Trade Communities and further information.

Cr Celia Wade-Brown

Wellington City Councillor

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