NZAID is committed to working with Tuvalu to align our programme of support with the country's national sustainable development plan.

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Tuvalu

2008/2009 Allocation | $2.5 million

Snapshot

Tuvalu is a tiny constitutional monarchy made up of nine low-lying atolls, with a total land area of 26 square kilometres. Tuvalu has an estimated population of 9,500.

Tuvalu is vulnerable to both cyclones and the effects of rising sea levels. The atolls of Tuvalu generally have poor soils that support only coconuts, breadfruit, pandanus, slow maturing taro and a few other vegetables and tree crops. Most people are involved in subsistence agriculture and fishing, and two thirds of the formal workforce are employed by the government.

Tuvalu gains income from the Tuvalu Trust Fund, fishing licences, commercialisation of the "dot tv" web domain address, remittances from Tuvaluan sailors employed on overseas ships, as well as from development assistance

Tuvalu has strong community organisation, a tradition of reciprocity and a culture of sharing, and good access to subsistence resources.

In 2005, Tuvalu finalised its own national sustainable development plan (Te Kakeega II) and this was officially presented to a round table of development partners in Fiji in May 2006 who endorsed the plan. NZAID is committed to working with Tuvalu to align our programme in support of the priority areas of this plan.

NZAID priorities

NZAID's priorities with Tuvalu are outlined in the five-year Framework for 2002-2007 New Zealand - Tuvalu Development Cooperation Programme. At present this framework focuses on human resource development, Outer Island development and economic development.

NZAID on the ground

Human resource development

NZAID worked with Tuvalu and the Asia Development Bank to finalise Tuvalu's strategic education and training sector plan. In addition, NZAID supported Tuvalu's National Education Implementation Plan and funded an early childhood education feasibility and design study in 2005.

NZAID funds scholarships for tertiary study in New Zealand and in the Pacific region. NZAID also funds short-term training attachments (STTAs), which allow New Zealand to support technical and vocational training courses for Tuvaluans in either Fiji or New Zealand. This has particular relevance for the maritime sector and is managed in partnership with the Government of Tuvalu.

Outer Island development

NZAID is funding the design of a five year Ship to Shore Transport project with the Government of Tuvalu. This project aims to enhance ship to shore transport infrastructure, taking into account social and environmental issues, particularly in the Outer Islands, and is planned to be implemented from 2007/08.

The Falekaupule Trust Fund (FTF) was established in 1999 to enable community development in the Outer Islands. In 2004, NZAID undertook a training needs analysis for the Falekaupule in its management of the Fund and for the community in their knowledge of the Falekaupule Act and the FTF process. From 2007, NZAID will commence a training programme on the FTF for the Falekaupule and the community.

Economic development

The Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF) was established in 1987 with contributions from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea. These contributions are invested overseas and the returns are used to meet Tuvalu's expenditure requirements. NZAID funds an ongoing member of the TTF Board of Directors and a member of the TTF Advisory Committee.

In addition, NZAID has made a number of annual capital contributions to the TTF most recently in 2006. NZAID, AusAID and the Asian Development Bank have helped the Tuvalu Government develop an agreed set of performance benchmarks to assist with its fiscal and budget management; eg to help achieve sustainable budgets and other public policy priorities in line with Te Kakeega II goals.

Health

NZAID's Medical Treatment Scheme continues to provide specialist treatment in New Zealand or Fiji for Tuvaluan patients.