Bilateral and regional aid
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New Zealand's bilateral support for countries involves direct assistance on a country-to-country basis in the form of development projects and activities.
NZAID operates nineteen bilateral programmes. Eight of these programmes have been identified for future growth based on their needs, level of poverty and New Zealand's capacity in their country. These eight countries are:
NZAID's regional programmes aim to contribute to the sustainable growth of a country by focusing on key thematic issues such as education, health, governance, and livelihoods.
Bilateral and regional aid to the Pacific
As a neighbour, there are expectations both in the region and domestically that New Zealand will play a positive and engaged role in assisting the Pacific countries to achieve their development aspirations.
Many parts of the region have trouble with low economic growth, high population growth, social and health issues such as HIV/AIDS, and tensions between traditional structures and introduced forms of governance.
Many of the Pacific countries are also small island developing states, which leave them particularly vulnerable to external shocks and natural disasters. All countries in the region have human resource capacity constraints and due to their size, poor economies of scale.
NZAID's Pacific programme is focusing future growth on six core Pacific partners:
- Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands, where poverty is deeper and more pervasive
- Fiji, in order to tackle the problem of income inequality and to help prevent further conflict and build peace in the country
- Niue and Tokelau, where New Zealand has constitutional obligations.
This will give New Zealand an increased country presence in these countries and more intensified participation in country-led policy dialogue and donor coordinated efforts.
NZAID's Pacific regional programme focuses on five thematic regional programmes, including education, health, governance, economic growth and livelihoods, and environment. NZAID also funds a number of regional agencies and organisations.
Bilateral and regional aid to Asia
NZAID's bilateral and regional aid to Asia is guided by an Asia Strategy which was approved in September 2004 after extensive consultation with governments, non-government organisations and other interested parties in the region.
The main focus is Southeast Asia, where aid priorities have been identified at a regional level within the Greater Mekong Subregion which comprises Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Yunan province in China, and at a bilateral level in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Timor Leste and the Philippines.
NZAID's key focus in Asia is improving rural livelihoods, complemented by initiatives in the trade, health and education sectors.
All activities are aligned with partner government development strategies and national development plans, and the coordinated efforts of the international donor community.
Bilateral and regional aid to Africa and Latin America
NZAID's Southern Africa programme highlight assistance in the areas of education, HIV and AIDS awareness and support for affected communities, capacity building for the public sector and civil society, and food security.
NZAID's aid to Latin America aims to contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth, with a focus on improving rural livelihoods, particularly amongst indigenous peoples. As a small donor with limited capacity in the region, New Zealand aims to add value to the endeavours of those already working there.
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