Student tests the limits of NZ made

A Christchurch student is forgoing bananas, chewing gum and impulse purchases in an attempt to buy only New Zealand-made products for a year.

Canterbury University student Sarah Marquet, who started her experiment on Waitangi Day, said she wanted to see if it was possible to live normally while buying only local products.

"It's about finding the gaps; finding what you actually can't buy and trying to educate people about that," she said.

The trial was also a chance to assess the affordability of local products, as Marquet had to live on a $160-a-week student allowance.

She bought as many local-made products as possible, but used secondhand stores and auction websites to buy non-New Zealand-made products she needed.

Marquet said her attempts to buy New Zealand-made had made her aware of "all these little things that you just can't get around".

"I miss bananas; I love them, but the ones in supermarkets are all from overseas," she said.

However, a lack of local products had proved detrimental to her personal hygiene.

"The other day, I had an interview with someone, and I'd had some red onions, but you can't buy local chewing gum, so I just had to do it with onion breath."

Locally made products such as stockings and notebooks were more expensive than overseas products, which put additional strain on her budget.

However, Marquet said she had saved money since starting her experiment, as she was more careful about impulse purchases.

"Before I started, when it was pay-day I'd pop down to the shop and buy a new top or something – now I can't do that as easily, so I'm just hanging onto my money."

Marquet said she had convinced some family members to try to buy New Zealand-made, but had less luck with her flatmates.

"I've tried to get them to buy more New Zealand products, but they like what they like."

Marquet is blogging about her experiences at livenzmade.blogspot.com. She was also planning to write a book, which would include interviews with Kiwi company owners "who have had to beat off the overseas competition".

- © Fairfax NZ News