Three decades of doing good
The Taupo¯ Trade Aid Store is celebrating 30 years of trading.
Trade Aid is a social enterprise creating fairness in trade and was founded in New Zealand in 1973. It works with small food and craft producers from 16 countries.
Trade Aid engages directly with its trading partners to gain a better understanding of their goals and challenges and to find effective ways to facilitate these goals through trade. It provides its partners with advice and information on trend designs most suited to the New Zealand market without compromising cultural expression.
Trade Aid has been instrumental in challenging subordination and
discrimination, not only by negotiating a fair price in local terms but by working with groups and co-operatives that provide the mechanisms and opportunities necessary to raise the status and economic security of women. The women work hard to ensure girls are educated.
Included in Trade Aid’s criteria for potential trading partners is “equal opportunities for women in decision-making and as beneficiaries of the enterprise”.
The Taupo¯ shop in Heuheu St is open daily and run by staff and volunteers who are proud to help to make a difference to the lives of its artisans.
It contains a large range of handcrafted goods from basket ware to home textiles, jewellery, bags and wallets, puzzles and games, toys and dolls, musical instruments, bath and body, incense and oils, as well as foods including coffee, teas and chocolate.