Trade Aid

Trade Aid a is New Zealand fair trade organisation established in 1973.^[1][2] The charity^[3] aims to build just and sustainable communities around the globe through fair trade.^[1] It sources ethical supply chains and imports coffee, chocolate and crafts from impoverish farmers and artisans.^[4]

Trade Aid

A typical Trade Aid craft, wooden car model
Formation	1973; 52 years ago (1973)
Type	Fair trade, non-government organization
Legal status	Charity
Headquarters	Christchurch, New Zealand
Website	https://www.tradeaid.org.nz/

The organisation was founded by Christchurch couple Vi and Richard Cottrell.^[1][2] Until 2025, it sold crafts and food items in 29 Trade Aid stores, as well as coffee roasteries, cafes and supermarkets throughout New Zealand;^[1] however, to protect its long-term sustainability, it shifted to wholesale and online sales.^[5][6] The factory in New Zealand that produced fair trade organic chocolate shut down, after facing competition from corporate chocolate manufacturers.^[7]

CORSO was a strong supporter of Trade Aid.^[1] Trade Aid's goals align with other New Zealand community organisation, including Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand and Volunteer Service Abroad – Te Tūao Tāwāhi (VSA).