Fair trade campus bid

Otago Polytechnic is likely to become New Zealand's first fair trade polytechnic, after its governing body voted to adopt fair trade policies for the institution.

A recent Otago Polytechnic Council meeting unanimously backed a recommendation from polytechnic sustainability director Jean Tilleyshort, aimed at gaining official fair trade status.

The council accepted the principle of fair trade and decided to create a fair trade policy for the polytechnic, to meet the minimum requirements for fair trade institutions.

''Otago Polytechnic has the opportunity to become the first polytechnic in New Zealand to become a fair trade member and be recognised as a fair trade supporter,'' Ms Tilleyshort said.

Some Australian universities had achieved fair trade status, but no New Zealand tertiary institution had official ''fair trade'' recognition.

Otago University was also implementing a fair trade policy, in alignment with the Dunedin City Council's policy, she said.

The polytechnic and university could jointly announce their fair trade policies and alignment with the city council, for ''maximum impact'', Ms Tilleyshort said in a report tabled at the polytechnic council's meeting last week. Several further steps must be taken before the polytechnic can gain ''fair trade'' status: including setting up a steering group to set and monitor goals, committing to selling fair trade products, and selling fair trade tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate drinks and bars at its sales outlets.

''Fair Trade'' policies offer companies and institutions a way to ensure their trade has a positive impact on the people who produce the goods, such as coffee, on sale.

In late 2009, Dunedin became New Zealand's first free trade city, after being formally recognised by the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz