The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund

PRESS RELEASE
May 5 2010

Rugby World Cup set to cause invasion of SuperBadgers

Despite strict border controls New Zealand is about to be invaded by badgers, but not just your ordinary badger, this breed is known as SuperBadgers.

TEAR Fund is launching its revolutionary Facebook application, SuperBadger, which will enable the online community to ‘badger’ decision makers on poverty issues, by sending pre-prepared emails from their profile.

The first target will be the Rugby World Cup in conjunction with the Fair Trade Association’s Fair Trade Fortnight campaign which runs until May 16. SuperBadgers around the country will be asking that all world cup venues stock Fairtrade Certified products to show the rest of the world why New Zealand is one of the fastest growing Fairtrade markets in the world.

TEAR Fund education and advocacy manager Frank Ritchie said New Zealand was hosting one of the greatest global events in the sporting calendar which would not only thrill the nation, it would bring in huge financial and cultural benefits as well.

“We want New Zealand to share its successes with those who need it most by simply swapping all the coffee, tea, sugar, chocolate and bananas to be consumed at the Rugby World Cup 2011 venues, to Fairtrade Certified products. By doing this, Kiwis and rugby fans from all over the world will be helping to make a real difference in the lives of people living in poverty.”

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Mr Ritchie said the plan was to `badger’ Martin Snedden, CEO of Rugby NZ 2011 Ltd, to make the New Zealand Rugby World Cup fairer than ever by supplying Fairtrade Certified coffee, tea, sugar, chocolate and bananas at World Cup venues, and show the world why New Zealand is one of the fastest growing Fairtrade markets in the world.

“The London Olympics 2012 has committed to providing these items as Fairtrade and we are encouraging New Zealanders to beat the Poms to it and show the world that Kiwis are leading the way.”

More than 2 billion people live on less than $2 a day and a simple swap to Fairtrade could help create a better life for farmers, workers and their families in developing countries, he said.

“Fairtrade is the only system that guarantees farmers a fair and stable price for their products, while helping communities develop in a sustainable way.”

To find out more about Superbadger New Zealanders simply need to check out the TEAR Fund website, www.tearfund.org.nz

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