Category: Pacific Region

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

 

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

Headline: OECD DAC 2015 Peer Review of New Zealand

OECD DAC 2015 Peer Review of New Zealand The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) 2015 Peer Review of New Zealand’s development assistance has been released.

The review is a positive endorsement of New Zealand’s approach to development cooperation. It notes the clear vision for the New Zealand Aid Programme and that aid funding is being used strategically and consistently in line with the core focus on the Pacific and on sustainable economic development. 

New Zealand’s record as a good global citizen, including as a strong advocate for small island developing states, is endorsed. Wider New Zealand policies such as Pacific employment schemes also impact positively on development, particularly in the Pacific. New Zealand’s effective approach to reducing and responding to disaster risks in the Pacific is commended to other donors.  

The review also makes recommendations. These recommendations will be considered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of our ongoing strengthening of the New Zealand Aid Programme.

Read the full DAC Peer Review report

Each DAC member is reviewed every 4-5 years to monitor its performance and identify opportunities for improvement. The reviews involve input from officials in the country being reviewed and the developing country that is visited, as well as from civil society, the private sector and other donors.

The peer review was conducted by Norway and Ireland, with support from the DAC Secretariat. It included a field visit to Kiribati.

Read more about DAC Peer Reviews

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

Headline: New wharves providing opportunities for Solomon Islanders

Five new wharves financed by New Zealand, Australia, Solomon Islands and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are set to improve shipping services and reduce barriers to business for Solomon Islanders.  The wharves will allow better access to jobs and opportunities for private sector investment, as well as improving access to copra and cocoa markets.  The new robust wharves are safe and more resistant to the effects of climate change.

Ringgi wharf on Kolombangara Island, Keru wharf on Keru Island, Ngasini wharf on Vangunu Island, and Tatamba and Susabona wharves in Santa Isabel have all been successfully upgraded ahead of schedule.

With the cumulative savings made from constructing the five wharves, a sixth wharf will shortly be constructed in Lambulambu on Vella la Vella Island in Western Province.

The Domestic Maritime Support Project has already rebuilt nine wharves and two landing ramps in five Solomon Islands provinces. It has also supported a franchise shipping scheme to remote communities, allowing private sector operators to deliver to destinations that would otherwise not be commercially viable.

The Domestic Maritime Support Project is financed by the Asian Development Bank, the New Zealand Aid Programme, and the Australian Aid Program. New Zealand has contributed approximately $6.2 million of the total $9 million of the project to the Domestic Maritime Support Project – including additional financing for Susabona wharf and Lambulambu wharf.

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

Headline: The Partnerships Fund – the story so far

The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development Fund seeks to harness the potential of New Zealand organisations to work with local partners to create ongoing benefits for developing countries. The Partnerships Fund is contestable, and open to organisations across sectors to support a wide range of activities and themes.

The first round of the Partnerships Fund took place in late 2012. Since then:

69 activities have been approved by the Chief Executive of MFAT, and 66 activities are underway (either being designed or being implemented). One activity has already completed.

Of the 67 activities in design, being implemented or completed:

• 34 in the Pacific
• 15 in Southeast Asia
• 18 in the Rest of the world
• 28 countries are benefitting.
• 37 organisations have had activities approved
• 25 charitable organisations
• 11 State Sector organisations
• 1 Private Sector organisation

 Activities by theme:

• 28 support investing in economic development
• 27 support promoting human development
• 6 support building safe and secure communities
• 6 support improving resilience and responding to disasters

Examples of what is being achieved

Supporting business opportunities in Tonga

Partnership with Oxfam

Oxfam is working with its local partner Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC) to build an economically sustainable social enterprise in Tonga. This five-year activity has value chain coverage for the production and supply of organic certified virgin coconut oil to the global market. TNYC has developed a supply agreement with New Zealand company Heilala and its virgin coconut oil has been stocked in Countdown supermarkets across New Zealand since late 2014. In the month of April 2015 TNYC significantly exceeded its previous production records and supplied 3,300 litres of virgin coconut oil to Heilala, bringing TOP$34,385 of foreign exchange earnings into the local economy. This business venture is providing Tongan people with employment, skills and a cash income that would not otherwise be available to people in rural areas.

Using technology to address Gender Based Violence in Papua New Guinea

Partnership with ChildFund

ChildFund is working in PNG to establish a tele-counselling hotline for victims of gender-based violence. The service is linked to a network of service providers that callers can be referred to. The hotline will be the first integrated service in PNG that offers immediate advice and support to survivors. It will provide a national mechanism to build greater government intervention in gender-based violence. ChildFund is working with a range of other organisations on the tele-counselling hotline, including the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee. A New Zealand Volunteer Service Abroad volunteer is also providing support to hotline staff. ChildFund has also partnered with telecommunications company Digicel to enable a free-to-call hotline number for mobiles.

High Tech Skills for education and employment in Fiji

Partnership with High Tech Youth

The New Zealand based High Tech Youth Network is increasing the connectivity and learning opportunities of youth in Lami, Fiji. Youth and their community learn high tech skills and gain access to the potential of the broadband economy, via a community facility and formal and informal learning programmes. The facility is in place and has been in operation for a few months. A number of programmes have been completed, with training empowering local youth and local partners to lead the programme within Lami town delivered. The intention is for youth and community of Lami town to use high tech skills to further their education and employment opportunities within Fiji and also within the global market.