WHAT’S NEW

IT FEELS GOOD : Trade Aid’s new natural and fair trade soap range is from the Coconut Project in Vanuatu.

The project’s soaps use natural ingredients and are developed by fair trade producers from a 1500-strong community on the Uluveu Island, in Vanuatu’s Maskelynes Islands.

The Coconut Project is part of the Palm Project, a partnership between the New Zealand Children’s Health & Education Trust and the people of Uluveu Island. The trust is a small organisation that helps poverty stricken communities to achieve economic self-reliance and self-determination.

The Palm Project developed from a need to eradicate a growing scabies problem on the island. A group of women on the island began to add locally sourced oils with an antiseptic quality to their soaps. Today, from these humble beginnings, the Palm Project has grown into a commercial enterprise, which produces three varieties of soaps, all of which meet the quality requirements of the international marketplace.

There are no nasties used in the making these soaps and the base is virgin organic coconut oil, which is produced on the island.

The healing qualities of coconut oil, combined with other locally sourced natural ingredients, have helped produce a beautiful soap with benefits far beyond the eradication of scabies. Ingredients include virgin coconut oil; tamanu oil, known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities. It also acts as a natural deodorant and contains high levels of antioxidants; Niang (turmeric), used in cooking but also known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight pimples and breakouts and provide a youthful glow; Cacao Beans, for exfoliation; and frangipani. $8.99 each from Trade Aid stores.

TO submit a new product or service for this column send information to Belinda Kerr, The Dominion Post, level 7, Spark Central, 42-52 Wills St, Wellington, 6011; or PO Box 3740, Wellington, 6140. Or email details to:

Belinda.Kerr@fairfaxmedia.co.nz