The Future is Equal

Kiwis bid over $4500 for celebrity coffee dates

Eight Trade Me users have bid an impressive $4590 combined for Fairtrade coffee dates with some of New Zealand’s favourite celebs.

Eight Trade Me users have bid an impressive $4590 combined for Fairtrade coffee dates with some of New Zealand’s favourite celebs.

A Fairtrade cuppa with Antonia Prebble on the set of her new film went for $620; sharing design ideas in Kate Sylvester’s studio $1060; a delicious lunch at Wellington’s Logan Brown with restaurateur Steve Logan $850; meeting Jeremy Corbett and Paul Ego on the set of  7Days $600; a cuppa at a café by the ocean with Don McGlashan $300; breakfast on Jason Gunn’s Big Breakfast show on Classic Hits $350; a night of comedy with Michele A’Court and Jeremy Elwood $305; and a coffee on the set of Shortland Street with stars Sarah Thomson and Robbie Magasiva $505.

“Is it a ‘fair trade’ to have to spend more time with Jeremy than normal in order to support this fine cause? Yes, but only just, says comedian Paul Ego. Much as I love coffee and the thought that the people who are providing me with it are treated fairly, I also feel I should be honest with the winner of this auction. It’s only through becoming one of Jeremy’s friends that I have learnt how tedious he can be in social situations. If you thrill at the talk of model aeroplanes, the stock market and how gifted his daughter is, then you’re in for a great time.”

The celebrity Oxfam Coffee Breaks are taking place during Fairtrade Fortnight (May 7-22). People can sign up to host their own Oxfam Coffee Break with their friends or colleagues and Oxfam will send each host a FREE Coffee Break pack containing Fairtrade Caffe L’affare coffee, Kokako drinking chocolate, Whittaker’s chocolate and a bunch of materials to introduce their guests to Fairtrade.

“It’s fantastic to have the support of our celebrities and their eight auction winners, as well as the thousands of people around the country taking part in Oxfam Coffee Breaks during Fair Trade Fortnight,” says Oxfam’s Fairtrade Coordinator Shirley Everton. “The support from generous Kiwis is helping to raise awareness of Fairtrade and lifting farmers and growers in the developing world out of poverty.”

Go to www.oxfamcoffeebreak.org.nz to find out more and sign up to Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break. Registrations close April 22.

All proceeds from the Oxfam Coffee Breaks go towards Oxfam’s work in the Pacific, East Asia and Africa, supporting people to access safe water and sanitation, to build a sustainable livelihood, to provide education and healthcare for their children, and to live free from persecution and violence.