OUR STRUCTURE
Trade Aid is made up of a number of parts - we call this entire body the Trade Aid Movement.
Our structure gets a little complicated, but this is a reflection of the various work we undertake. We operate a series of shops that stretch the length and breadth of New Zealand, as well as a central warehouse (Trade Aid Importers) where imported goods from developing countries are delivered, sorted and dispatched. We carry out education and advocacy work on fair trade, and speak out for greater justice in world trade.
Trade Aid is very much an ‘extended family’ and all those involved contribute a significant amount to the achievements and progress of The Movement. The Movement gets together with an Annual Conference. The focus is on education and every alternate year we invite a trading partner to attend.
Trade Aid Shops
Trade Aid has 30 shops that spread the length and breadth of New Zealand selling exquisite crafts and food products.Each shop is owned by a charitable trust. Trust members are elected annually and made up of local volunteers with an interest in fair trade.
Trade Aid Importers Ltd
We have a central warehouse where imported goods from developing countries are delivered, sorted and dispatched. From here, we then supply our shops, New Zealand supermarkets, organic stores, cafes, school fundraisers, manufacturers and more with fair trade products.
Trade Aid Importers (TAI) is also responsible for forming trading partnerships with our suppliers, producing education and marketing material, and campaigning and advocating for trade justice. Trade Aid Importers is owned by Trade Aid (NZ) Incorporated Society, both have charitable status.
TAI is run by a Board of Directors, members of which are appointed by, and answerable to, the committee members of Trade Aid (NZ) Inc. They are responsible for the commercial business of TAI and give advice and assistance to Shops. This Board appoints a General Manager who manages TAI and has a role in directing the commercial management of the shops.
Pictured left: Stewart McCallister, a volunteer storeman in the Trade Aid Importers warehouse
Trade Aid (NZ) Inc
Trade Aid (NZ) Inc is a membership-based Incorporated Society. Membership is open to individuals and all our shops are members. Trade Aid NZ is the governance body over the entire Trade Aid Movement and ensures that we live up to our Charter. It has Charitable Status and is the owner of Trade Aid Importers. The committee members of the Society are elected at Conference and are responsible for ensuring the Movement meets the Vision, Aims and Objectives as set out in the Trade Aid Movement Charter.Pictured left: Representatives from all of Trade Aid - retail managers, volunteer educators, shop trust members, Trade Aid (NZ) Inc. committee members and TAI staff - come together at our 2009 conference.
Development Committee
The Development Committee reports to the Board of Trade Aid Importers and is responsible for a number of tasks. It deals with selecting and monitoring trading partners, allocating NZAID funds for capacity building projects, approving education and advocacy work, formulating policy, approving suppliers of non-fair trade goods (e.g. books, music), and has responsibility for producing Trade Aid's Social Accounts. Read more about our development work here.
Ethical Investment Trust
The Ethical Investment Trust was established as a vehicle to raise capital to support the activities of Trade Aid. Depositors are able to choose the term and rate of interest (often zero) for their investment. For the ethically minded investor the Trust offers a practical way to support fair trade and our producer groups. Read more about the Ethical Investment Trust here.
