Category Archives: Community currencies

A plethora of community currencies along many different designs is possible. From timebanks trading in Hours for services offered to Local Exchange Trading systems LETS or Green Dollars to local vouchers as in the Chiemgauer of Germany.

Auckland should issue its own currency

Posted on by
Reply

Issue an Auckland currency, says new party

 Tuesday, 14 February 12

Auckland should be thinking of a regional currency, redeemable for rates fees and fees to fund part of their new transport infrastructure, according to the New Economics Party.

Spokesperson Deirdre Kent said it was ridiculous to see politicians argue about how they could scrape up more national dollars when they could be creating their own rates vouchers and setting them into circulation.

An Auckland currency could be the answer to a lot of their funding problems. A proportion of all labour could be paid in these rates vouchers. All their rail fares and local goods could be paid in Auckland dollars.

“It is time to think outside the square. Aside from the question of whether all the roading projects will end up being white elephants as oil becomes dearer and dearer, the regional currency idea should be put at the top of the list of the 14 options now on the table,” said Ms Kent.

“Digital currencies using all the best technologies are ideal for the job because you can build in a circulation incentive to ensure they move faster than the national currency. And mobile phones can be used. It is ridiculous that Aucklanders should be using precious national dollars to trade for labour and for in goods made in Auckland.”

For more comment phone Deirdre Kent 06 364 7779 or 021 728 852

 

 

 

Community Currencies encouraged

Posted on by
Reply

Community currencies.
Many trades do not require precious national currency or even a regional currency like an Auckland currency. At the community level a variety of currencies are possible and the X Party would encourage diversity. The recent spread of timebanks, where members in a community help each other and pay in Hours, is encouraging because it helps with building social capital and strengthens that community. Everyone’s Hours are equal. Organisations can join and teaching and learning can occur. The establishment of timebanks in every community would be encouraged so that people can exchange skills on an equal basis. Timebank coordinators would be funded. In this way community building can be fostered at local level for minimal cost.

Local Economic Trading Systems like the ones in Golden Bay and Wairarapa will be encouraged.

Local communities can establish local vouchers for the exchange of goods in their district. Local businesses would accept local vouchers backed by a certain quantity of goods produced in the area. One model for success is the Chiemgauer in Germany.