Category: Aid

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: USA,Texas – Hurricane Harvey

New Zealanders in Texas should be aware that severe flooding is of concern in south-eastern Texas due to the on-going effects of Hurricane Harvey. 

New Zealanders in Texas are advised to follow the advice of local authorities at all times (including any evacuation orders) and seek suitable shelter.

It is also important to keep family and friends in New Zealand updated on your welfare.

The ongoing severe weather has caused disruption to flights in and out of Texas. Please contact your airline or travel agent directly for information on the status of your flight.

If you require consular assistance please contact the New Zealand Embassy in Washington on +1 202 328 4800.

For further information, please see the following US Government websites:

National Hurricane Center website

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Applications open for New Zealand Commonwealth and ASEAN Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships

Applications for the 2018 New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship are open to Malaysians from the 15 February – 30 March 2017. 

New Zealand Scholarships are prestigious scholarships for international students from developing countries to study in New Zealand. Our scholarships foster and build potential leaders, as well as equip individuals with skills and knowledge to benefit your country.  

Applications should be submitted to the below Nominating Agency, and not the High Commission.  

The Director General
Public Service Department of Malaysia
Human Capital Development Division
Level 3, Block C2, Complex C
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62510 Putrajaya

Telephone: 03 8885 3546 / 3433 / 3571

For further details, please visit our Scholarships pages.

Note: Universities New Zealand used to manage the application and selection process for the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships. This is now under the management of the Scholarships Unit (GDS).

ASEAN Scholarships

Applications for the 2018 NZ-ASEAN Scholarship are also open from 16 February – 30 March 2017.

A New Zealand Scholarship will empower you with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to your country’s prosperity, security and sustainable growth. The New Zealand Government, through the New Zealand Aid Programme, provides scholarships to people from developing countries to undertake studies within priority areas at a tertiary education institution in New Zealand.  

Malaysia-specific information, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found here.

More information about studying in New Zealand is here.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Pacific sustainable energy: Maintaining pace

 

The Pacific Energy Conference in Auckland has generated over $1 billion in funding commitments for sustainable energy projects in the Pacific.

When combined with previous commitments and private sector investment, it means that $2.5 billion will be invested in sustainable energy in the Pacific between 2013 and 2024.

“For our part, New Zealand has agreed to provide a further $100 million to energy projects in nine Pacific countries, bringing our total contribution to $220 million,” Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

Sustainable energy is a priority for the Pacific. Diesel is the dominant form of electricity for most Pacific nations, and diesel consumption costs the equivalent of around 10 percent so the region’s GDP. 

Across the region, only around 25 percent of households have access to electricity.

Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and increasing access will have tangible economic, social and environmental benefits for Pacific communities.

The Pacific Energy Conference was co-hosted by the New Zealand Government and the European Union. It was attended by leaders and representatives across the Pacific and beyond, international development agencies, the private sector, and NGOs.

It was a follow-up to the Pacific Energy Summit in 2013, also hosted by New Zealand and the EU.

Read more:

Pacific Energy Country Profiles: Sustainable energy progress and challenges at country level.

Donors commit to Pacific energy projects

 

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Helping NZ businesses invest in the Pacific

We want to support New Zealand businesses to create economic and social benefits in Pacific countries through commercially sustainable ventures.

To help businesses to invest more and increase their impact in Pacific Island countries, we have introduced the Pacific Private Sector Window.

This offers businesses a non-repayable grant of up to 67% of the total project cost (total project size can be up to NZ$2 million).

As part of this, businesses can get financial support for up to 90% of costs for business case development.

In addition, we can support businesses with our international development knowledge and networks.

The investment must be in an eligible Pacific country, in areas where we see the greatest potential for economic development: agriculture, tourism, fisheries, ICT, energy, trade and labour mobility.

You could consider applying if you are a New Zealand business that is considering long-term investment in the Pacific for the first time. Or you might be a business that wants to grow its existing Pacific operations in a way that increases local development impact.

Or you might be a business that sees an opportunity to bring Pacific producers into global value chains.

Who can apply?

To apply you need to:

• be a New Zealand business
• propose a commercial project within the six targeted investment areas in an eligible Pacific island country
• have an in-country partner/or partners
• meet financial and due diligence requirements sufficient to justify funding, and demonstrate ability to meet the matched funding requirements
• demonstrate that your project is new and additional to your business as usual.

See a printable information sheet

Closing dates

There are two funding rounds a year. The closing dates for applications are:

• 15 April 2016
• 16 September 2016

If you want to talk more about whether the Pacific Private Sector Window might be right for your business, contact us at nzpfid@mfat.govt.nz.

Read more

For more information on the Pacific Private Sector Window (PPSW) see the following links.

• Guidelines and information on eligibility

• PPSW guidance notices

• PPSW application form 

 

 

 

 

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Fiji and NZ sign development cooperation arrangement

The Development Cooperation Arrangement will see New Zealand assisting Fiji in three priority areas, namely economic development, skills training or workforce development, and the creation of institutional linkages. The overall goal of the New Zealand development assistance programme is to contribute to Fiji’s sustainable economic development. The Development Cooperation Arrangement arose out of the need for both countries to enhance their bilateral relations and put in place an overarching framework of cooperation.

The two Ministers acknowledged the value of the DCA in targeting assistance to Fiji that may not necessarily be within the current scope of NZ’s aid programme. This was considered important to ensure that the partnership and areas of cooperation between the two countries remain relevant and beneficial to their peoples.

During their consultation, Minister Kubuabola thanked the New Zealand government for its assistance towards the Fijian Agriculture sector and expressed the hope for further assistance in the future. In this regard, Minister McCully will be touring the Koronivia Agriculture Station to explore opportunities to assist the Fiji Diary Sector Programme.

Under NZ’s aid programme for 2015-2019, a sum of NZ$33 million has been allocated for assistance in the areas of agriculture value chains, skills training and building capacity in the public sector.

In acknowledging the need to work together to address the root causes of climate change, the two Ministers agreed to explore assistance that will enable Fiji to access clean, efficient and affordable energy sources through direct investment and technology transfer to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. Minister Kubuabola expressed Fiji’s appreciation for the assistance provided by the NZ Government in supplying solar lanterns to some informal settlements that have no access to electricity.

The two Ministers acknowledged the need to continue the education assistance provided to Fiji under the NZ Scholarship study awards. For 2016, 20 scholarships are being offered to Fijians in various programs, which is an increase from 10 over the last two years.

In view of the long-standing historic ties on defence and security cooperation between Fiji and NZ, the two Ministers agreed to enhance existing cooperation and revive programmes of assistance that have benefited Fijians in the past.

Another area that the two Ministers agreed to work together is in the preparation for Fiji’s hosting of the Triennial Global Oceans Conference in June 2017.

The two Ministers also discussed areas of cooperation on regional issues and multilateral matters of priority to them.

This annual consultation is the third that the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs have held. The fourth consultation will be hosted by Minister McCully in NZ next year.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Aid Investment Priorities – sharpening our focus

New Zealand Aid Programme Investment Priorities 2015-19 outlines how we will focus our aid, capability and policy engagement around 12 priorities to deliver sustainable development and reduce poverty in partner countries.

The 12 priorities reflect where New Zealand’s aid can have the greatest impact. They include Agriculture and Renewable energy as flagship priorities where we have recognised expertise and leadership. Information and communications technology is signalled as a new investment priority, recognising the growing importance of connectivity for sustainable development.

In the Pacific we will deliver within all 12 priorities. Outside the Pacific, we will target investment within four proprieties, and respond to humanitarian emergencies.

The publication also outlines the specific medium and long-term outcomes we seek for each priority, and the measures to evaluate this.

This is the companion publication to the New Zealand Aid Programme Strategic Plan 2015-19.

We see this as a useful resource for the partners we work with and people with an interest in New Zealand’s aid.

 

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Evaluations shows strong Pacific relationships

With about 60% of New Zealand’s aid going to the Pacific, it is important we evaluate our work in the region.  

Independent evaluations of New Zealand’s development cooperation with the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau were completed by Adam Smith International (ASI) in 2015.  ASI assessed our contribution to sustainable development for each country along with the relationships and quality of aid delivery. 

The evaluations found that we have strong and enduring relationships with each country.  Overall, we deliver high quality aid. 

We are moving away from smaller fragmented projects in these countries.  The projects we now fund, including budget support to partner governments, are effective and sustainable.

ASI recommended we consider strengthening our expertise to ensure that we provide consistent and targeted advice to these countries. 

Information from these evaluations is being used to inform high level strategies.

Read more:

• Our approach to aid
• Read the Synthesis report
• Read the Cook Islands Programme evaluation
• Read the Niue Programme evaluation
• Read the Samoa Programme evaluation
• Read the Tokelau Programme evaluation

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Cyclone Winston: New Zealand helps Fiji

As well as extensive damage to buildings, water and electricity supplies have been badly affected by the most damaging cyclone in Fiji’s history.

With crops also suffering significant damage, food supply is a key concern alongside shelter and sanitation.

Progress has been made in the 10 days since the cyclone, with repairs to more than 1000 schools allowing them to be reopened. About another 180 schools are still closed because of damage.

Fiji National University campuses will be operational from 2 March. Most jetties have also been repaired.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Murray McCully, visited Fiji on 29 February to discuss the response with the Fiji Government and look at how New Zealand can support recovery efforts.

He announced an increase of $1.5 million in aid from New Zealand, bringing New Zealand’s post-cyclone aid to $4.7 million.

The aid funding so far covers: 

• relief supplies and technical teams, with nearly 500 New Zealanders working on the aid effort in Fiji by the end of this week 
• support to the Fiji National Disaster Management Office to support Fiji Government operations
• support to New Zealand NGOs with local partners providing relief and recovery assistance on the ground. 

In total, 163 tonnes of priority emergency goods have or are being transported to Fiji, including:

• 7,400 tarpaulins and 698 tents/shelter kits
• 4855 ten-litre and 20-litre water bottles
• 35 generators
• 36 water tanks
• 625 chainsaw and tool kits
• 1000 water and sanitation (WASH) kits
• 24 tonnes of food
• 60 tonnes of construction supplies.

The support staff include 37 New Zealand Defence Force engineers, and six Fire Service engineers, who are assessing and repairing schools and roads on Viti Levu.

HMNZS Wellington arrived in Fiji on Sunday carrying relief supplies and crew to check which beaches will be suitable for vessels from HMNZS Canterbury to use once it arrives on Wednesday night. 

How you can help

New Zealanders respond generously to support Pacific neighbours in times of emergency.

If you wish to support people affected by Cyclone Winston, the best thing to donate is money, but not clothing, food or other goods, to an emergency appeal.

Aid organisations working in Fiji are assessing what else is needed. Where possible they will source supplies from close to the affected area, which is the most efficient and cost-effective way of getting help to those who need it.

The National Disaster Relief Forum has details about appeals by NGOs. The New Zealand Red Cross  also has an appeal.

The Fiji Government has set up bank accounts for international and local donations.

It says the funds will be used directly to benefit Fijians who have been left homeless, without adequate food, water and essential services.

Donated goods can often be difficult to handle for a country recovering from a disaster.

They can be time-consuming and difficult to store, transport and distribute. Sometimes the cost of transporting goods can be more expensive than the value of the goods.

It’s best to only donate goods that have been asked for by an aid agency.

Before organising a collection of donated goods:

• find out whether the goods are needed on the ground and if they are appropriate for the country

• make sure you have a good understanding of all costs involved, including freight to the country, transport within the country, and any wharf, handling and customs charges

• make sure you have a clear plan for the goods once they arrive in the affected country, including people who will take responsibility for the logistics and costs of collecting, storing, sorting and distributing the goods.

If you want some more advice about planned fundraising activities and donations, please email publicoffers@mfat.govt.nz.

Read more

Foreign Minister visits Fiji

Cyclone Winston: How you can help Fiji

Photo gallery: New Zealand responds after Cyclone Winston

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Tokelau ferry handover celebrated

 

The New Zealand Government officially handed over the MV Mataliki to the Tokelau Government in Apia, Samoa today.

The MV Mataliki is a new purpose-built passenger and cargo vessel designed to meet the essential shipping needs of Tokelau’s three atolls – Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo.

The ship was funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme. New Zealand invested $12.5 million in its design and build.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully, at the handover event, said: “New Zealand is committed to the special constitutional relationship we share with Tokelau and the handover of the Mataliki today is a milestone in improving Tokelau’s connectivity with the Pacific region and the wider world.”

The Mataliki is capable of transporting up to 60 passengers on the international voyage between Samoa and Tokelau, and up to 120 passengers between the atolls.

The new ship is larger and more efficient than previous vessels owned by the Government of Tokelau.  It has been specifically designed for Tokelau, with input from Tokelauans on their priority requirements. 

Read more:

Photo gallery: Mataliki 

Factsheet: Mataliki

Foreign Minister’s statement

New Zealand and Tokelau

 

 

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Aid and Development – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Tropical Cyclone Winston: How you can help Fiji

 

Fiji is starting to assess the damage to its islands after Tropical Cyclone Winston struck during the weekend.

The cyclone tore through entire villages and towns, wrecking homes, buildings and crops, and causing loss of life. Roads and bridges have been damaged, and flooding continues. Communications infrastructure has also been damaged, although the cellphone network in major centres (Suva, Nadi and Labasa) is functioning.

The New Zealand Government has contributed more than $2 million to help Fiji recover from Cyclone Winston.

A New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules arrived in Fiji early on Tuesday morning to deliver 12 tonnes of relief supplies including food, water and tarpaulins for communities. The emergency supplies included tool kits, generators, water and water containers, ration packs and chainsaws for families affected by the cyclone.

The HMNZS Canterbury will depart Auckland this weekend loaded with essential supplies such as building materials, water storage tanks, and medical supplies. As well as relief supplies, it will carry helicopters and medical and engineering personnel.

How you can help

New Zealanders respond generously to support Pacific neighbours in times of emergency. If you wish to support people affected by Cyclone Winston, the best thing to donate is money, but not clothing, food or other goods, to an emergency appeal.

Aid organisations working in Fiji will be assessing what’s needed. Where possible they will source supplies from close to the affected area, which is the most efficient and cost-effective way of getting help to those who need it.

The New Zealand Red Cross has launched an appeal. The New Zealand Disaster Relief Forum has details on appeals by New Zealand NGOs.

The Fiji Government has set up bank accounts  for international and local donations. It says the funds will be used directly to benefit Fijians who have been left homeless, without adequate food, water and essential services.

 

While commercial flights have resumed into Fiji, transport to areas outside of main centres is limited as damage to roads and wharves is still being assessed.

It is important that transport links can focus on getting essential supplies to affected communities.

Donated goods can often be difficult to handle for a country recovering from a disaster. They can be time-consuming and difficult to store, transport and distribute. Sometimes the cost of transporting goods can be more expensive than the value of the goods.

It’s best to only donate goods that have been asked for by an aid agency.

Before organising a collection of donated goods:

• find out whether the goods are needed on the ground and if they are appropriate for the country
• make sure you have a good understanding of all costs involved, including freight to the country, transport within the country, and any wharf, handling and customs charges
• make sure you have a clear plan for the goods once they arrive in the affected country, including people who will take responsibility for the logistics and costs of collecting, storing, sorting and distributing the goods.

Volunteers

We are not seeking any volunteers.

It’s important that people who help in a disaster response are working for a humanitarian organisation and are trained in working in disaster situations.

This is both for their own safety and so as not to put additional strain on limited resources.

The Ministry of Health works with New Zealand health workers who wish to volunteer for deployments during a disaster response.

Find information on the application and training process for health workers here.

Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) sends New Zealand volunteers to share their skills and assist with longer term development in non-emergency situations. Read about current VSA volunteering vacancies here.

Read more

Images from Cyclone Winston

Our relationship with Fiji