NZAID staff view the construction progress of
the new kindergarten in
Eua, Tonga.
September 2008
Click for enlargement of map.
Tonga
return to | Pacific Countries
Snapshot
The Kingdom of Tonga lies north of New Zealand near Fiji and Samoa. There are approximately 170 islands mainly based on coral and distributed across a large sea area. The 36 inhabited islands support a population of about 110,000. 70 percent of Tonga's population live on the main island of Tongatapu. The remainder are spread across the four island groups of Vava'u, Ha'apai, ‘Eua and the Niuas.
Tonga has made good progress towards the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), with relatively high levels of life expectancy and educational achievement. However, because of limited opportunities and resources, and vulnerability to natural disasters, hardship still exists in Tonga.
NZAID priorities
In September 2008, NZAID launched a new joint strategy with the Government of Tonga. The Tonga/New Zealand Country Programme Strategy 2008-2018 aligns its strategy with the development priorities of the Government of Tonga. Priority areas include:
- broad-based growth and sustainable livelihoods
- governance and civil society
- education.
NZAID on the ground
Business Opportunity Support Scheme (BOSS)
NZAID and the Tongan government have established a new scheme which aims to encourage commercial investment and increase earnings from exports and tourism in Tonga.
The Business Opportunity Support Scheme (BOSS) is a joint initiative by the private sector and the governments of New Zealand and Tonga. It will help companies from the two countries make significant investment decisions, and support business links between New Zealand and Tonga.
Under the scheme investors and entrepreneurs can receive grants of up to T$30,000 to carry out feasibility studies focusing on the export-related, import substitution, and tourism sectors. The scheme will have a focus on the development of the private sector in Tonga, by increasing investment in export-related ventures.
The Tongan Government's National Economic Development Committee will oversee the management and administration of the scheme, including the assessment of all BOSS proposals.
Further details about the BOSS can be found in the proposal outline under ‘Related links' below. For further information contact the Tongan Prime Minister's Office at staumoefolau@consult.gov.to.
Governance and civil society
NZAID is providing over NZ$5 million annually towards initiatives that support good governance and civil society. The aim is to assist with a peaceful transition to more representative government and participatory decision-making, and a better resourced public service with greater focus on service delivery to poor communities.
Within the public sector, NZAID support includes a range of funding and assistance programmes including revenue and tax reform, support for customs and audit departments, and the Ministry of Justice. NZAID also supports the Tonga Police Development Programme, an initiative with Australia and the Government of Tonga, which aims to ensure the development of an effective community-oriented Tongan police force.
NZAID also hopes to strengthen the capacity and capabilities of non-government organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations (CBOs) in Tonga. NZAID will continue to fund approved community projects in order to improve the quality of life through self-reliant and sustainable development. NZAID also supports the National Centre for Women and Children in Tonga, an organisation that provides a full range of support services for people affected by domestic violence.
In addition, NZAID will continue its efforts to improve access to services in the outer islands.
Broad-based growth and sustainable livelihoods
Two significant challenges currently facing Tonga are the reduction of unemployment, particularly amongst young people, and supporting economic recovery following the civil unrest of November 2006. NZAID is providing approximately NZ$1.5 million annually to address these issues, through training and support services, and ongoing private sector development.
NZAID is currently developing a programme with the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sport that will strengthen the provision of industry-aligned technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in order to reduce unemployment rates and improve income opportunities. The proposed programme will assist in the development of a national training system, the promotion of demand-driven training, and institutional strengthening.
NZAID and the Government of Tonga have identified tourism as a sector that could stimulate economic growth, ensure equitable distribution of the benefits of growth, and provide opportunities for improved livelihoods of local communities. Through engagement with the Ministry of Tourism and the private sector, a multi-year tourism support programme is currently in development.
NZAID is also continuing to support business recovery in Tonga following the riots of 16 November 2006. This support is by way of loan subsidies, a credit guarantee scheme, business advice, and the provision of liquidity in the Tongan banking system, thereby making available additional funds for lending to eligible businesses that were directly affected by the civil unrest.
Education
Despite Tonga's relatively strong development indicators and commendable strides in achieving universal primary education, inequities exist in the quality of and access to education. NZAID has committed over NZ$6 million annually to supporting the education sector in Tonga.
The Tonga Education Sector Support Programme (TESP) is a partnership between the Government of Tonga, NZAID and the World Bank. The key goals of TESP are to help Tonga ensure that all children have access to quality education and that other quality education opportunities are available for Tongan young people depending on their skills and interests. The first phase of TESP focuses on improving the quality of primary and secondary education, the equitable delivery of services and resources, and a strengthening of management, policy-making, and monitoring and evaluation within the education sector.
NZAID is also continuing its support of tertiary scholarships within Tonga, the Pacific region, and New Zealand. It is also funding the reconstruction of Niuatoputapu High School which was destroyed in Cyclone Waka several years ago.
return to | Pacific Countries
NZAID Pacific Regional Programmes