Oxfam logo
The Future is Equal

News & Media

Tackling Poverty Through Trade: How New Zealanders buying Fairtrade benefits producers in developing

While the market for Fairtrade in New Zealand is still relatively small it has experienced very healthy and sustained growth since its beginnings in 2004. Initially nine companies were involved in selling Fairtrade coffee and tea. Retail sales reached NZ$261,050 in 2004 and in 2008 the New Zealand Fairtrade market growth in was 69 per cent. By 2009, the number of New Zealand companies licensed to sell Fairtrade products increased to 51 and their combined retail sales topped NZ$17.5 million. This growth in Fairtrade retail sales is great news for small-scale farmers and workers in developing countries. Increased Fairtrade sales means that more trade is taking place under Fairtrade conditions and that more farmers and workers are receiving the economic, social and environmental benefits of Fairtrade. This report has been produced by Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand (FLANZ) and Oxfam New Zealand. Analysis has covered the period of New Zealand Fairtrade purchases and sales from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2009.

Download file:
PDF icon Tackling_poverty_through_trade_2010.pdf

The impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Pacific region

At a macroeconomic level, the Global Economic Crisis has had less impact on many Pacific countries than on most other developing countries across the world. However, this does not imply that Pacific country economies are performing well. Economic growth rates for most countries in the Pacific region are expected to be low for 2009 and 2010 and the majority of economies are likely to contract on a per capita basis in these years. Policymakers should look at how the traditional economy and support systems in Pacifi c countries could be supported and strengthened to ensure they continue to provide resilience in times of crisis. At the same time, other forms of social support should be considered to work alongside these traditional systems in cases where they are not meeting current needs, particularly the needs of women and young people.

Download file:
PDF icon GEC in the Pacific Final Oxfam.pdf

Better jobs in better supply chains

Business plays a key role in poverty reduction by creating jobs that give people in developing countries the opportunity to work themselves out of poverty. Oxfam believes that better labour standards also benefit business by boosting sales, staff recruitment and retention, and supply chain productivity.

Related links:

Rescuing the peace in Southern Sudan

The next 12 months will be critical for the future of Sudan. As the country marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended a devastating civil war, southern Sudan has seen a major upsurge in violence. In 2009, some 2,500 people were killed and 350,000 fled their homes. With landmark elections and a referendum on the horizon, the peace deal is fragile and the violence likely to escalate even further unless there is urgent international engagement. Southern Sudan is one of the least-developed regions in the world. Its poverty, combined with limited government and aid agency capacity to respond to emergencies and deliver development, exacerbates the potential for renewed conflict. The people of southern Sudan have shown extraordinary resilience to emerge from decades of war. If they are to have hope for the future, they urgently need development and protection from violence. Sudan faces many interlocking challenges, but if the international community acts now, they are surmountable.

Download file:
PDF icon rescuing-peace-southern-sudan.pdf

Copyright © 2024 Oxfam Aotearoa.

Oxfam is a worldwide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against injustice. Oxfam Aotearoa is a registered charity with the New Zealand Charities Register (registration CC24641). Donations are tax refundable.

Site by