The international development sector in New Zealand is currently in good heart. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced in his budget for 2007-2008 an increase for official development assistance (ODA) to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) as well as a pledge to reach 0.35% by 2010.
The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) welcomed this increase. Although it is only half way to the commitment made by successive governments since 1970 to reach 0.7% of GNI for ODA by 2015, until this year no government has outlined any steps towards the target. Our campaign is now to persuade all political parties before the general election in 2008 to make the full commitment.
The additional funding was to go mainly to the Pacific. This is NZAID’s primary focus area. A major boost was provided to the allocation for the Solomon Islands, with Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu also receiving major increases. Some programmes also received larger allocations, especially Pacific Health and Pacific Governance. Viet Nam, Indonesia and a number of UN agencies were also among the major beneficiaries of the additional funding. There were also increases for complex emergencies and natural disasters.
New Zealand-based NGOs also received additional funding. The KOHA-PICD fund (the main source of NZAID funding for NZ international NGOs’ work in community development) and the HAF (Humanitarian Assistance Fund), as well as a group of NGOs that receive core funding including NZCID, all received additional funding.
A survey of NZCID member NGOs in 2006 showed that most had the capacity to absorb additional funding from NZAID. For many, this increased capacity stemmed from the Indian Ocean tsunami in late 2004, when there was an overwhelming response from the New Zealand public to fundraising activities, many of whom became regular donors. Responsible management of the funds had resulted in additional staffing, which in its turn often resulted in new partnerships with developing country NGOs or increased projects and programmes with existing partners.
NZ NGOs also engage actively in advocacy for the issues of concern in developing countries. NZCID’s major campaign has been to get increased funding for international development (the Point Seven campaign) and to get cross-political party support for the campaign. It was especially pleasing that over 20 MPs from most parties attended an event in Parliament to mark the 7 July 2007 (7/7/7) – the halfway point to the 2015 goal. We also co-ordinate advocacy groups of members for fair trade, HIV/AIDS and participate in Jubilee Debt Aotearoa.
NGOs in New Zealand enjoy a good relationship with both NZAID and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with whom we meet at least twice a year. As well as regular meetings with NZAID at a senior level, we are also consulted on all aspects of strategy and policy and engage in a range of informal meetings. Through this constant communication between civil society and government we feel that the health of the sector can be monitored and enhanced.
Rae Julian is Executive Director of the New Zealand Council for International Development (27 July 2007).
