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Source: Ministry for the Environment – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Today is World Water Day
World Water Day is a United Nations initiative to focus attention on the importance of water. For New Zealand, it’s an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the many thousands of New Zealanders who are taking action to improve water quality and restore our streams, lakes and rivers.
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Source: New Zealand Government
Headline: Lessons for Waikato DHB out of report
Health Minister Dr David Clark says he expects District Health Boards to be acutely aware of the need for proper oversight and control of executive expenses.
The State Services Commission has released the Ombler Report into allegations of unjustified expenditure at the Waikato DHB. It found that more than half of the former chief executive Dr Nigel Murray’s expenditure on travel and accommodation was unjustified.
“The public rightly expect DHBs leaders to be careful stewards of health funding, and so do I.
“Health funding should be used for health care and prevention. There needs to be clear justification for spending on travel and related costs.
“This report confirms that was sadly not always the case at the Waikato DHB. There was a notable failure of leadership and oversight.
“As Minister I will hold DHB chairs accountable for the spending on their watch. There needs to be transparency around expenses, including written authorisation for significant travel costs and robust processes for manager’s expenses.
“Oversight will also be bolstered by the changes announced last month in the State Sector and Crown Entities Reform Bill.
“To say this has been a disappointing episode for all involved is an understatement, but I have no doubt that lessons have been learned.
“I now expect the Waikato DHB to concentrate on its real job – delivering quality health care for the people of Waikato. I have every confidence that the acting chair Sally Webb will ensure they do just that,” David Clark said.
Source: New Zealand Government
Headline: Initiative to boost teacher supply extended
Acting Minister of Education Tracey Martin has announced a further $700,000 to help more teachers into classrooms, with the extension of the Teacher Education Refresh (TER) Programme.
Approximately 280 additional teachers will now have access to the fully subsidised TER Programme, announced as part of the Government’s $9.5 million teacher supply package last year.
“The subsidy removes the cost barrier associated with undertaking the TER course.
“We need more teachers in classrooms and the TER subsidy has been so successful that it’s oversubscribed. We want to encourage providers to keep taking on more enrolments.
“The announcement today will see approximately 780 teachers in total able to remain in or re-enter the profession as a result of the TER initiative.”
The extra placements for the subsidised courses are available till 30 June 2018. These additional places will continue to help address immediate teacher supply pressures. The funding has been made available within Ministry of Education baselines.
“This is part of the Government’s ongoing work to increase teacher supply, reduce teacher workloads, and lift the status of the profession,” Tracey Martin says.
More information on the teacher supply package is available at: http://www.education.govt.nz/teacher-supply
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:
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
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).
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.
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.
To apply you need to:
See a printable information sheet
There are two funding rounds a year. The closing dates for applications are:
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.
For more information on the Pacific Private Sector Window (PPSW) see the following links.
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.