For Nicole Watson, Fairtrade is about making trade fair - and her grasp of the issue has even seen her take out a national competition.
At just 12 years old, she already has a clear understanding of what Fairtrade is all about.
"I know that [Fairtrade] help poorfarmers with better deals," Nicole said.
The Kaitao Middle School student has won a national Fairtrade poster competition which will see her work on display at all 81 Wild Bean Cafes throughout New Zealand between May 2 and 17 in the form of posters and postcards.
The inaugural competition was based around the theme "What is Fairtrade?" and was run by Wild Bean in conjunction with the Fairtrade Association of New Zealand. Every cup of coffee and hot chocolate served at Wild Bean Cafes is Fairtrade certified.
Although Nicole enjoys art, she says it isn't one of her strongest subjects. So, when her teacher, Judith Smallbone, suggested all entries should feature bold, clear writing, Nicole decided to focus on that. Her poster was described as snappy and clear by competition judge Richard Taylor, a five-time Academy Award winner and founder of Weta Workshop.
It took Nicole about three days to complete her entry and she was surprised to find out she wasn't only a finalist, but was the overall winner. "I thought there was maybe some sort of mistake ... I've never won a competition in my life."
Nicole won an IPod shuffle, a $100 Whitcoulls voucher and $20 Wild Bean Cafe vouchers. Her teacher received $400 worth of Wild Bean Cafe/BP vouchers and her school was given $3000.
Kaitao Middle School principal Rory O'Rourke said Fairtrade was an important issue to support and he was proud of Nicole's win.
"It's absolutely amazing, we're incredibly proud of her and all the others who entered the competition."
He said the money the school received would probably go towards a performing arts theatre given that Nicole was in the school's Expressive Academy.
