Dunedin looks set to become New Zealand's first fair trade
city, after a vote to go ahead with the proposal yesterday.
The decision means the council can apply to the Fair Trade
Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) for fair
trade city status.
Cr Fliss Butcher, who has been pushing for the idea for some
time, said yesterday she expected that status to be approved
quickly.
The only other city in New Zealand to have agreed to apply,
Wellington, is understood to be some way behind Dunedin on
working towards accreditation.
The fair trade movement began in the United Kingdom, where
many cities are registered.
Fair trade cities commit to using and selling fairly traded
products, and having fair trade products available.
The idea is to commit to sustainable development by offering
better trading conditions to marginalised producers and
workers.
Cr Fliss Butcher, who along with Cr Dave Cull and council
staff will be on a working party charged with ensuring FTAANZ
requirements were met, said the move was not tokenism.
"It's an awareness raising commitment that this council can
do to try to solve world poverty."
"That's really cool."
The council had to complete five milestones before fair trade
city status could be sought, including convening a steering
committee to ensure commitment; having at least two fair
trade products available in retail outlets, and gaining
support from local workplaces and community organisations.
It was also required to vote for a resolution to support fair
trade, and have two fair trade options served in meetings,
offices and tearooms, usually tea and coffee.
david.loughrey@odt.co.nz
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