IT’S hard to believe that 35 years ago hippie bargain hunters were buying ethnic sandals and jute bags from New Zealand’s first Trade Aid shops.
This foresighted enterprise that promises to pay crafts people from developing nations a fair price for their wares was launched in Christchurch in 1973 and since then has successfully spread throughout the nation.
Howick’s first Trade Aid shop opened in 1993 next to Rishworth’s drapery and fashion outlet. With a one month lease on the tired building, Trade Aid volunteer David Rose and co-workers endured a leaky roof for a year before moving to Howickville when it was a bustling shopping centre.
Larger and centralised retail opportunities resulted in Trade Aid moving to Botany Town Centre in 2002 and the shop was rebranded Asanti. Mr Rose became manager and the product range changed with customer demand.
“We went from being the 10th best Trade Aid shop in the country to the second best. The move was definitely worth it,” says Mr Rose.
When he’s not working at the retail coalface he speaks to school students and this year witnessed the benefits of Trade Aid for enterprise partners in northern Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India.
He saw producers making soap stone carvings, wooden puzzles and toys. His highlight was seeing spices growing in the highlands of Sri Lanka.
“Over the years the quality of products has improved enormously. From some of the collective income Trade Aid makes we employ a designer in Christchurch. She puts energy into improving a design that fits within the supplier’s culture and building something that’s saleable here,” Mr Rose says.
As part of a non-profit trust, volunteer staff members are vital to the survival of Trade Aid and the community development of their foreign partners.
At present 30 people of all ages, genders and cultures give a few hours each week to help in the Botany store.
Over the years hundreds of people have done the same and to celebrate Trade Aid’s 35th anniversary Mr Rose is inviting past and present volunteers to celebrate with a cuppa at Esquires Café, Botany Town Centre at 10.30am on Tuesday November 18.
“We chose Esquires as it was the first cafe to go fully fair trade with its coffee. We’re hoping past volunteers will give us a call on 271-1254 to confirm their attendance to acknowledge their efforts.”