The Draft Tonga Country Programme Strategy 2008-2018

NZAID is currently working on a new Strategy to guide implementation of the New Zealand development assistance programme to Tonga over the next ten years. This is being done in close cooperation with the Government of Tonga.

We are seeking feedback on the Draft Tonga Country Programme Strategy by 5 December (feedback instructions at the end of the page with a copy of the Draft Strategy and the Short Executive Summary).

Process for developing the strategy

Late 2006: Background research plus lessons learnt from the previous Strategy (2001-2006)
First half of 2007: Consultations with Government of Tonga, and civil society groups in Tonga followed by preparation of issues papers on various sectors
Second half of 2007: Consultations in New Zealand with Council for International Development and NGOs working in Tonga, other donors and the Tongan community in NZ followed by release of draft strategy for consultation
First half of 2008: Strategy redrafted and finalized based on feedback received

Resources available

New Zealand development assistance to Tonga approximately $5 million a year since early 1990s
Increased to $10m in 2005/06 and $11.5 million in 2007/08, $12m from 2008/09 onwards

Questions for you to consider while reading

Do you agree with the three Priority Areas we have chosen to focus our development assistance in Tonga over the next ten years?
Are there areas we have missed?
Have we identified the big challenges facing Tonga in each of those three areas?
What do you think of the programme goal and what things do you think would make the greatest difference to poor communities in Tonga?
Youth unemployment is a big issue for Tonga – what is the best way to tackle this?

Programme Goal for New Ten Year Strategy

Reduce hardship in Tonga through activities that promote good governance, equitable access to quality education and increased economic opportunities

How we will work

Aligning our activities to Tonga’s Strategic Development Plan 8
Doing fewer things better
Increased dialogue with the Government of Tonga and better coordination with other donors
Working more with civil society
Emphasis on results, accountability and ownership

Key Development Challenges in Tonga

Governance:

Demand for political reform
Need to improve public services
Improving the position of women

Economy:

Addressing unemployment, especially youth
Economic recovery following 2006 riots
Economic opportunities for rural areas/outer islands
Making Tonga an easier place to do business

Social problems:

Urban drift
High rates of diabetes
Inequities in the education system between church and Government schools, rural and urban schools

Key Objectives for the 10 Year Strategy

Priority Area 1

Governance & Civil Society (approx. 37.5% of total programme + 2.5% for Medical Treatment Scheme)

A peaceful transition to more representative government and participatory decision making
A better resourced public service with a greater focus on service delivery to poorer communities

Priority Area 2

Broad-based growth & sustainable livelihoods (approx. 20% of total programme)

Increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to Tonga’s economic growth, and reducing youth unemployment
Promote economic recovery following the riots of November 2006

Priority Area 3

Education (approx 40% of total programme)

Improved access to better quality education
Better alignment between the scholarships and training programme, and the overall Country Programme Strategy and Tonga’s national human resource development needs

How to place feedback

Email Edwina on edwina.gillespie@nzaid.govt.nz with your feedback and you must write ‘Feedback on Draft Strategy’ in the Subject line.