Decision-Making: The Development Cooperation Division (DEV) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT) and other New Zealand Government line agencies are involved as appropriate. New Zealand is a strong
supporter of the Barbados Programmeme of Action for Small Island Developing States. Coordination is achieved
through regular contact between ministries and relevant aid agencies. Any matters requiring ministerial attention
are drafted into widely circulated papers. The Development Cooperation Division regularly seeks input from
relevant agencies where specialist expertise is lacking in MFAT and where line agency input to policy
implementation is likely. Decision making is retained at central government level via MFAT, although the
participation of other agencies/ representatives of civil society is generally sought. Decision-making on the one
NZODA programmeme of special relevance to sustainable development (The Pacific Initiative for the
Environment) is informed by a non central Government advisory group.
There are a variety of measures to support agencies and initiatives linked to sustainable development. Examples
include: The Pacific Initiative for the Environment; the International Development Association; The Asian
Development Fund; the United Nations Development Programme; the Commonwealth Fund for Technical
Cooperation; the Global Environment Facility; the IBRD; IFC; ADB; the International Fund for Agricultural
Development; and the Commission on Sustainable Development. NZ also facilitates small island state
involvement in sustainable development activities including through specific programmes delivered to the Alliance
of Small Island States and to the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. Regional integration and
cooperation in sustainable development including environmental protection: New Zealand is a founding member of
the Pacific Forum, a regional grouping of 16 member states dedicated to regional cooperation. It actively
contributes to the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Round Table for Nature Conservation.
New Zealand has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the multilateral trading system including through active
participation in the WTO, the Cairns Group and through the promotion of bilateral and sub regional initiatives
involving Australia, Asian, Pacific and American trade partners. Import licensing has been removed, trade
distorting subsidies have been dismantled and tariffs lowered or eliminated on most traded goods and services. The
deregulation of domestic markets has permitted greater competition, including for foreign firms. The government
recently announced that it will grant all Least Developed Countries duty free access from 1 July 2001. In addition,
least developed and South Pacific countries already benefit from non reciprocal trade preferences. New Zealand
does not maintain any quotas. Work is ongoing on improving mutual recognition of standards and conformance.
Representatives of NGOs, civil society, Maori and women sit on an Environment Advisory Group overseeing The
Pacific Initiative for the Environment. Linkages with these and other major groups are maintained by ODA
administrators on an ongoing basis including with the scientific community and private sector. All delivery and
implementation of NZODA projects is via NGOs, multilateral and regional implementing agencies and the private
sector (which includes Crown Research Institutes and Crown Owned Enterprises). Close links are maintained with
government agencies responsible for women, indigenous people, labour, science, commerce, and farming.
NZODA seeks to foster private and public sector cooperation both generally and via specific schemes noted above
(PIIDS, ADAF, PPP). Project implementation/delivery is contracted to private sector agents in most cases.
Programmes and Projects: Two regional schemes: Asian Development Assistance Fund (ADAF) and Pacific
Island Investment Development (PIDS) scheme are designed to link the New Zealand private sector with
developing country private sector initiatives. The Pacific Island Investment Development Scheme (PIIDS)
provides an example of officia l co-funding incentives including for commercial development opportunities.
NZODA is also piloting a Public/Private Sector Partnership (PPP) scheme to assist the development of robust incountry
public and private sector joint ventures for environmentally sustainable development. NZODA is also the
principal donor assisting the development of innovative and private sector linked mechanisms for funding Pacific
Island biodiversity conservation.
Status: New Zealand Official Development Assistance has been steadily increasing in recent years. It increased
by 35% over 1995-1999, from NZ$187.6m to NZ$253.2m. Over this period bilateral ODA increased by 29%;
multilateral assistance increased by 57%, and Emergency Relief (included in the Bilateral Programme) by 78%. It
is estimated that the private flows to developing countries from New Zealand voluntary agencies (NGOs) decreased
by 11% over the 1995-99 period. It is also worth noting there are significant private remittances flowing from New
Zealand to Pacific Island states.
At the operational level, challenges are experienced in developing locally owned strategies for sustainable
development which translate through into a genuine focus for action. Donor coordination within such nationally
owned strategies, once developed, is a further challenge. Coordinating diverse interests also presents challenges,
particularly when attempting to establish an agreed framework for action upon which partnership can be based.
Institutional challenges include overcoming a lack of support among vested interest groups. Planning for structural
adjustment must be done to ensure maximum payoffs from an enhanced competitive environment.
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and Awareness-Raising: Additional funds have been allocated in
2000/01 to a programme of communications aimed to ensure improved public understanding of international
development issues including that of sustainability and the role and contribution of New Zealand’s Official
Development Assistance. Information is channeled through secondary schools curricula, NGO’s and community
groups. Media people have been targeted for familiarisation visits to Pacific aid projects and a public outreach
programme of seminars on NZODA has been introduced this year. There has been Development of Best Practice
Guidelines for international development consultants. An Education and Training Plan has been devised by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for staff working in its Development Cooperation Division. All categories
are targeted by the DEV Education and Training Plan. In addition, NZ has used the PIE to fund an environment
training needs assessment for the Pacific region and, as with NZODA bilateral programmes, will respond to
requests from developing partners accordingly
Information: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes a wide variety of reports on international
cooperation activities, reports annually to parliament, and maintains a public access website. The Ministry
regularly contacts interest groups using telecommunications and internet facilities. Seminars and workshops
feature on the Ministry’s calendar of events. The Development Cooperation Division of the Ministry offers an
internet address of its own.
Research and Technologies: New Zealand is supportive of international initiatives to promote technology transfer
for sustainable development. It has ratified treaties which include technology transfer objectives and contributes to
multilateral funding facilities utilised for the same ends. NZ Official Development Assistance programmes include
strong know-how transfer components and educational themes. The delivery of assistance projects in developing
countries involves the tendering and award of supply contracts. Contracts can be structured to promote
environmentally sound technologies, in accordance with partner country requirements. Penalties exist for breaches
of copyright and patents to guard against the abuse of intellectual property rights. Effective synergies can be
achieved between the public and private sectors in promoting environmentally sound technologies. Commercial
imperatives are respected by the public sector, which in turn creates economic opportunities for firms and offers
cost-effective and commercial solutions to development partners.
Financing: New Zealand Official Development Assistance currently equates to 0.27% of GNP. This has increased
from 0.23% in 1995. Private financial flows and multilateral fund facilities are the other major sources for
sustainable development funding.
Cooperation: New Zealand strongly supports multilateral efforts to make trade and the environment mutually
supportive. New Zealand participates in the OECD Joint Session of Trade and Environment Experts (JEG) and the
World Trade Organisation's Committee on Trade and Environment (WTO CTE) (preceded by the GATT Group on
Environmental Measures and International Trade (EMIT). Contributions include: UNDP, UNDP Capacity 21, UN
Capital Development Fund; OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, UN Fund for Mine Clearance, UNIFEM,UNDCP, UNIDO, WHO: Tropical Diseases Research, UN Human Rights Programme, Montreal Protocol for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Forum Secretariat, Pacific Community, Forum Fisheries Agency, University of
the South Pacific, South Pacific Board for Educational Assessments.
Examples of fora in which New Zealand is active include: OECD; the UN and its agencies such as the CSD,
UNEP, UNDP; the Forum Fisheries Agency; South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission; the Pacific
Community; the Pacific Islands Forum; International Whaling Commission; South Pacific Regional Environment
Programme; the Valdivia Group. NZ is party to agreements, treaties, conventions and protocols related to
sustainable development including those with effect in the following areas: weapons and disarmament; biodiversity;
fisheries; the seabed and oceans; endangered species; conservation; Antarctica; timber; wetlands; development
cooperation; trade; environment; health; intellectual property; energy; commodities; and agriculture.
New Zealand has entered into numerous agreements with trade provisions including those which promote freer
trade, the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the application of veterinary and health standards, the
control of hazardous or dangerous substances, and the control of trade in certain species.
(MFAT) and other New Zealand Government line agencies are involved as appropriate. New Zealand is a strong
supporter of the Barbados Programmeme of Action for Small Island Developing States. Coordination is achieved
through regular contact between ministries and relevant aid agencies. Any matters requiring ministerial attention
are drafted into widely circulated papers. The Development Cooperation Division regularly seeks input from
relevant agencies where specialist expertise is lacking in MFAT and where line agency input to policy
implementation is likely. Decision making is retained at central government level via MFAT, although the
participation of other agencies/ representatives of civil society is generally sought. Decision-making on the one
NZODA programmeme of special relevance to sustainable development (The Pacific Initiative for the
Environment) is informed by a non central Government advisory group.
There are a variety of measures to support agencies and initiatives linked to sustainable development. Examples
include: The Pacific Initiative for the Environment; the International Development Association; The Asian
Development Fund; the United Nations Development Programme; the Commonwealth Fund for Technical
Cooperation; the Global Environment Facility; the IBRD; IFC; ADB; the International Fund for Agricultural
Development; and the Commission on Sustainable Development. NZ also facilitates small island state
involvement in sustainable development activities including through specific programmes delivered to the Alliance
of Small Island States and to the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. Regional integration and
cooperation in sustainable development including environmental protection: New Zealand is a founding member of
the Pacific Forum, a regional grouping of 16 member states dedicated to regional cooperation. It actively
contributes to the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme and the Round Table for Nature Conservation.
New Zealand has been at the forefront of efforts to improve the multilateral trading system including through active
participation in the WTO, the Cairns Group and through the promotion of bilateral and sub regional initiatives
involving Australia, Asian, Pacific and American trade partners. Import licensing has been removed, trade
distorting subsidies have been dismantled and tariffs lowered or eliminated on most traded goods and services. The
deregulation of domestic markets has permitted greater competition, including for foreign firms. The government
recently announced that it will grant all Least Developed Countries duty free access from 1 July 2001. In addition,
least developed and South Pacific countries already benefit from non reciprocal trade preferences. New Zealand
does not maintain any quotas. Work is ongoing on improving mutual recognition of standards and conformance.
Representatives of NGOs, civil society, Maori and women sit on an Environment Advisory Group overseeing The
Pacific Initiative for the Environment. Linkages with these and other major groups are maintained by ODA
administrators on an ongoing basis including with the scientific community and private sector. All delivery and
implementation of NZODA projects is via NGOs, multilateral and regional implementing agencies and the private
sector (which includes Crown Research Institutes and Crown Owned Enterprises). Close links are maintained with
government agencies responsible for women, indigenous people, labour, science, commerce, and farming.
NZODA seeks to foster private and public sector cooperation both generally and via specific schemes noted above
(PIIDS, ADAF, PPP). Project implementation/delivery is contracted to private sector agents in most cases.
Programmes and Projects: Two regional schemes: Asian Development Assistance Fund (ADAF) and Pacific
Island Investment Development (PIDS) scheme are designed to link the New Zealand private sector with
developing country private sector initiatives. The Pacific Island Investment Development Scheme (PIIDS)
provides an example of officia l co-funding incentives including for commercial development opportunities.
NZODA is also piloting a Public/Private Sector Partnership (PPP) scheme to assist the development of robust incountry
public and private sector joint ventures for environmentally sustainable development. NZODA is also the
principal donor assisting the development of innovative and private sector linked mechanisms for funding Pacific
Island biodiversity conservation.
Status: New Zealand Official Development Assistance has been steadily increasing in recent years. It increased
by 35% over 1995-1999, from NZ$187.6m to NZ$253.2m. Over this period bilateral ODA increased by 29%;
multilateral assistance increased by 57%, and Emergency Relief (included in the Bilateral Programme) by 78%. It
is estimated that the private flows to developing countries from New Zealand voluntary agencies (NGOs) decreased
by 11% over the 1995-99 period. It is also worth noting there are significant private remittances flowing from New
Zealand to Pacific Island states.
At the operational level, challenges are experienced in developing locally owned strategies for sustainable
development which translate through into a genuine focus for action. Donor coordination within such nationally
owned strategies, once developed, is a further challenge. Coordinating diverse interests also presents challenges,
particularly when attempting to establish an agreed framework for action upon which partnership can be based.
Institutional challenges include overcoming a lack of support among vested interest groups. Planning for structural
adjustment must be done to ensure maximum payoffs from an enhanced competitive environment.
Capacity-Building, Education, Training and Awareness-Raising: Additional funds have been allocated in
2000/01 to a programme of communications aimed to ensure improved public understanding of international
development issues including that of sustainability and the role and contribution of New Zealand’s Official
Development Assistance. Information is channeled through secondary schools curricula, NGO’s and community
groups. Media people have been targeted for familiarisation visits to Pacific aid projects and a public outreach
programme of seminars on NZODA has been introduced this year. There has been Development of Best Practice
Guidelines for international development consultants. An Education and Training Plan has been devised by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for staff working in its Development Cooperation Division. All categories
are targeted by the DEV Education and Training Plan. In addition, NZ has used the PIE to fund an environment
training needs assessment for the Pacific region and, as with NZODA bilateral programmes, will respond to
requests from developing partners accordingly
Information: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes a wide variety of reports on international
cooperation activities, reports annually to parliament, and maintains a public access website. The Ministry
regularly contacts interest groups using telecommunications and internet facilities. Seminars and workshops
feature on the Ministry’s calendar of events. The Development Cooperation Division of the Ministry offers an
internet address of its own.
Research and Technologies: New Zealand is supportive of international initiatives to promote technology transfer
for sustainable development. It has ratified treaties which include technology transfer objectives and contributes to
multilateral funding facilities utilised for the same ends. NZ Official Development Assistance programmes include
strong know-how transfer components and educational themes. The delivery of assistance projects in developing
countries involves the tendering and award of supply contracts. Contracts can be structured to promote
environmentally sound technologies, in accordance with partner country requirements. Penalties exist for breaches
of copyright and patents to guard against the abuse of intellectual property rights. Effective synergies can be
achieved between the public and private sectors in promoting environmentally sound technologies. Commercial
imperatives are respected by the public sector, which in turn creates economic opportunities for firms and offers
cost-effective and commercial solutions to development partners.
Financing: New Zealand Official Development Assistance currently equates to 0.27% of GNP. This has increased
from 0.23% in 1995. Private financial flows and multilateral fund facilities are the other major sources for
sustainable development funding.
Cooperation: New Zealand strongly supports multilateral efforts to make trade and the environment mutually
supportive. New Zealand participates in the OECD Joint Session of Trade and Environment Experts (JEG) and the
World Trade Organisation's Committee on Trade and Environment (WTO CTE) (preceded by the GATT Group on
Environmental Measures and International Trade (EMIT). Contributions include: UNDP, UNDP Capacity 21, UN
Capital Development Fund; OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, UN Fund for Mine Clearance, UNIFEM,UNDCP, UNIDO, WHO: Tropical Diseases Research, UN Human Rights Programme, Montreal Protocol for the
Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Forum Secretariat, Pacific Community, Forum Fisheries Agency, University of
the South Pacific, South Pacific Board for Educational Assessments.
Examples of fora in which New Zealand is active include: OECD; the UN and its agencies such as the CSD,
UNEP, UNDP; the Forum Fisheries Agency; South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission; the Pacific
Community; the Pacific Islands Forum; International Whaling Commission; South Pacific Regional Environment
Programme; the Valdivia Group. NZ is party to agreements, treaties, conventions and protocols related to
sustainable development including those with effect in the following areas: weapons and disarmament; biodiversity;
fisheries; the seabed and oceans; endangered species; conservation; Antarctica; timber; wetlands; development
cooperation; trade; environment; health; intellectual property; energy; commodities; and agriculture.
New Zealand has entered into numerous agreements with trade provisions including those which promote freer
trade, the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the application of veterinary and health standards, the
control of hazardous or dangerous substances, and the control of trade in certain species.
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