1. In
1. How did you end up becoming Chair of the Christchurch
Trade Aid Trust?
I started as a Volunteer Educator, speaking to community groups
about how fair trade is changing the world. I was then asked to
become a Trustee of the Christchurch Shop Trust, and when the
Chair role became vacant I was honoured to be nominated. I am
passionate about governance and especially getting younger
people onto boards, so this has been a great journey.
2. For those unfamiliar with the inspiring Trade Aid, can you
please explain the role of the organisation?
Trade Aid is New Zealand’s pioneering social enterprise,
founded in 1973 in Christchurch. We’re improving the lives of
talented artisans all over the world through fair trade. We import
handmade crafts, homewares, and jewellery and sell them in
our retail stores, which are owned by independent charitable
trusts. Trade Aid also imports food products including raw
coffee and cacao, and makes all our fair trade chocolate here in
Christchurch.
3. What is it that you enjoy most about the role and the
organisation?
I recently discovered that my grandparents were involved
with the beginnings of Trade Aid; helping Tibetan refugees in
India export their traditional carpets. It’s incredibly special to
continue the family legacy and learn how fair trade contributes
to economic empowerment.
Closer to home I’ve enjoyed overseeing the move of our shop
back into the city. You can now find us in the Re:start mall –
close to where the Trade Aid shop on Cashel Street was for
many years before the earthquakes. It’s great to be part of the
buzzing central city!
4. How unique is Trade Aid from other organisations of a
similar ilk?
There are now lots of awesome fair trade organisations in New
Zealand. Trade Aid was the first, and we’re part of the World
Fair Trade Organisation, which means we have to adhere to
ten standards around equitable and environmentally friendly
A life lived with authenticity of self and a will to always be curious and adventurous
provides the perfect basis for a life less ordinary. Andrea Brewster is an
incandescent example of this. Chair of the Christchurch Trade Aid Trust and a
finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards in the Young Leader category,
she is an inspiring crusader for social change at grassroots and global levels.
Aid
Life
of a
less ordinary

2. practices in all aspects of our business.
There’s more transparency and
accountability than individual product
labelling schemes, such as the Fairtrade
label.
5. How do you balance the
responsibilities of Trade Aid with your
other work?
I have another board role with Catapult
Employment Services, which just won
Champion Charity at the Canterbury
business awards. Catapult supports
disadvantaged Cantabrians into paid
employment, provides career mapping
and work-related anxiety counselling –
it’s another organisation making a big
difference to people’s lives.
This year I’m participating in the
Committee for Canterbury’s Future
Canterbury leadership programme,
working on a research project about
freedom camping. And I have a real
job too - communications advisor for
the Department of Prime Minister and
Cabinet.
I’m very disciplined with my time and
being focused on whatever I’m doing in
the present moment. My weeks often
involve travel to multiple cities, long
days, meetings before and after work,
events and giving talks, and I’ve had
to become a morning person to fit in
gym sessions! Staying fit helps - I have
a great personal trainer who keeps me
honest, and I love getting out in the hills
to clear my head while trail running and
ski touring.
6. Tell us about how your career has
evolved in other areas
I’ve always worked in marketing and
comms, starting in advertising agencies
while researching my Honours thesis on
Facebook marketing in small businesses.
Last year I got the opportunity to work
on comms and stakeholder engagement
for the central city rebuild at CERA.
That was a great professional challenge
and I loved contributing to our new
city – it included highlights like the Bus
Interchange opening and working with
the SPECTRUM street art festival.
Now at the Department of Prime Minister
and Cabinet I advise our leadership team
on strategic communications projects,
and manage internal communications.
7. What are some of your ultimate
personal and professional ambitions?
My goal is to create positive and lasting
change and inspire people, and I’d like to
do that by eventually becoming a CEO
and professional director.
We need more women in leadership, and
that change isn’t happening fast enough
so I’m doing what I can. This year I’ve
had recognition from Women on Boards
as a ‘next generation’ leader, and it’s
After travelling I always have a renewed appreciation
for our relative political and economic stability, and our
beautiful outdoor backyard which needs to be protected
for everyone to enjoy.“
incredibly humbling to be a 2016 Women
of Influence finalist. I’m really proud to
be part of this initiative and hope to
continue the journey in many years to
come.
8. What is some of the most inspiring
travel you have done and how has this
impacted your life in a personal and
professional capacity?
In my mid-teens my parents took us
to India twice, including a visit to our
World Vision sponsored child in rural
Palassa. That showed me how lucky we
are to live in New Zealand with access to
education and choices, and has been a
big influence on my involvement in social
enterprises like Trade Aid.
I recently returned from a month
in South America for the Rio 2016
Olympics. That was an incredible
experience and it highlighted how
fortunate I am to be able to go on trips
like that. After travelling I always have
a renewed appreciation for our relative
political and economic stability, and our
beautiful outdoor backyard which needs
to be protected for everyone to enjoy.
9. Who do you look to for guidance and
advice around your career?
I’m lucky to have many amazing mentors
who give me sage advice when I need
it, and I’m really grateful for the support
I’ve had from so many different people.
This year Lisa-Marie Richan has been
my formal mentor through the Future
Canterbury leadership programme. I’m
also surrounded by fabulous strong
women in my circle of peers and friends,
who inspire me every day.
10. Favourite mantra?
We all get the same 24 hours a day!
An ecletic mix
on offer at
Trade Aid