Top twenty fair trade towns

The Oxfam Fair Trade Index has announced New Zealand's top twenty fair trade towns, based on the number of the organisation's Morning Tea events that take place per capita in each settlement.

A Morning Tea will encourage people from throughout a community - from friends and local groups, to workmates and students - to assemble and celebrate fair trade by, quite appropriately, enjoying fair trade produce whilst raising money for producers in need in the developing world.

The Waikato town of Waitoa has managed to top Oxfam's fair trade list, setting a great precedent for other locales to follow. Mayor Jan Barnes says the title is of significant value to Waitoa, because it will make residents conscious that the relatively small community is populated by a large portion of people who care.

She adds that Oxfam's Morning Teas are having a positive impact on farming communities in the Pacific as well as southeast Asia, thanks to the money that is being raised.

Fair Trade Fortnight, running from 8 to 22 May, has spurred communities all over the country into action to support Oxfam's work overseas. Hosts of the events invite people to share a cup of tea and a slice of cake in exchange for a gold coin donation, and many are taking up the opportunity to be of help.

Their proactive gestures are allowing farming families in the developing world to work their way out of poverty and prosper, by ensuring they receive a fair price for their produce, improved working environments and, ultimately, an ability to enhance quality of life in their local communities.

Oxfam is currently backing coffee co-operatives in Timor-Leste, letting them achieve Fairtrade certification and thrive with more bountiful harvests and a decent income. The knock-on effects of that are increased income, better diets, and improved health and education.

Cornell de Concicao is the coordinator of the Manelobas coffee co-op in Timor-Leste, and says the aid Oxfam and its supporters are providing is invaluable.

"Without Fairtrade certification we're dependent on the companies. We have to take whatever price they offer. With Fairtrade certification, the price of coffee will be guaranteed," he says.

"Our lives are better than before. In the past we ate only corn and cassava, but now we have a more diverse diet. I'd like to finish building my house and support my children to go to school. I want my daughters to finish their studies."

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Rachael Le Mesurier, adds that New Zealanders' support for fair trade is having an impact on the livelihoods of families and communities in developing countries.

"Kiwis believe in giving everyone a fair go and this really comes through with the number of people signing up - it's a fun way to be part of the solution to global poverty and your fair choices do make a difference to farmers, their families and wider communities."

Join Kiwis everywhere in hosting an Oxfam's Morning Tea this year. It's easy to sign up at the Oxfam Morning Tea web site.

The Top Twenty Towns

Waitoa, Waikato
Otane, Hawkes Bay
Waimauku, Auckland
Waimana, Bay of Plenty
Paekakariki, Wellington
Albany, Auckland
Pleasant Point, Canterbury
Tairua, Coromandel
Lincoln, Canterbury
Riverton, Southland
Pokeno, Waikato
Coromandel Town, Bay of Plenty
Kaitaia, Northland
Paihia, Northland
Brightwater, Tasman
Silverdale, Auckland
Geraldine, Canterbury
Marton, Manawatu-Wanganui
Helensville, Auckland
Picton, Canterbury

The Oxfam Fair Trade Index was formulated by calculating the number of Oxfam's Morning Teas per capita from data spanning the last year.

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