The allocation has been increased to $1.3 billion.

The Government says the increase in overseas aid means that New Zealand will now be paying its fair share towards global climate funding. It is part of a global commitment of $100b to help the developing world.

Some of the money will be used in partner projects around the world, as well as multilateral institutions like the Green Climate Fund which was set up under the auspices of the UN.

The Government is targeting about half the money towards climate mitigation efforts in the Pacific.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw says it will be administered as part of New Zealand's aid programme.

"The rest of it will go through a variety of projects." These projects will be prioritised on the basis of need.

He says New Zealand would be guided by Pacific Islands' governments on where the climate aid is best directed.

The Pacific Forum's secretary-general, Henry Puna, is heartened by the level of support New Zealand is providing.

"I'm totally ecstatic on behalf of the region at the New Zealand announcement," he says.

In his view, it augurs well as world leaders get ready for the UN's Climate Change Conference (called COP26) in Glasgow later this month.

At the same time, he says while he's delighted with New Zealand's increased contribution, "urgent ambitious climate action and finance are the two hinges open on a net zero, 1.5 degree future. But time is running out."

He says he hopes all developed countries will finally fulfill their Paris-made funding commitments, but have largely failed to meet.

Shaw hopes the aid announcement can help repair some of the frayed consensus around the Paris Agreement.

New Zealand committed to making finance of this sort available when it signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, he points out.

He agrees, however: "... the fact is that the developed world has not delivered on that commitment to collectively mobilise US$100-billion a year (in annual climate finance)."

"That has led to a suspicion and a breakdown in relationships between the wealthier countries of the world, of which New Zealand is one, and the other countries."

The Pacific Islands region's representatives would be going to COP26 in hopeful but resolute mode.

"But we're certainly going there with full determination to try and talk to developed countries to support the commitments that we already made in 2015 in Paris."

At present, climate change concerns within the Pacific Region have seen:

The Fijian prime minister asking the NZ for help to move 42 villages further inland, away from rising waves.

Tokelau and Kiribati having no further inland that they can go to, "They must adapt to the massive changes that are upon them," says Shaw.

The Cook Islands estimating about 25 percent of their annual budget is spent on climate-related costs.

The New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute, says New Zealand could help more.

"Where all OECD countries target 0.7 percent of GDP, Zealand is about 0.27 percent - an annual shortfall of 1.2 billion dollars."

Source

• RNZ
• Stuff
• Image: Eco-Business

Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern announced a $9 million package to make it easier for Pacific students to access education.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced $10 million over three years to enhance free-to-air Pasifika TV service.

Education

"This initiative will leverage high-speed internet connectivity to ensure more Pacific students have access to high-quality education and learning opportunities," said Ardern.

The package includes a project to support teachers to deliver an interactive e-learning science curriculum for year 10 students in Samoa, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Solomon Islands.

The $5 million e-learning for science project will develop a suite of interactive e-learning resources that will allow non-specialist teachers to deliver the year 10 science curriculum.

The package also provides for a partnership project with the University of the South Pacific and the Commonwealth of Learning to expand open, distance and flexible learning opportunities at secondary and tertiary levels.

Broadcasting.

An expanded Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Ltd service will include a dedicated Pasifika TV channel with New Zealand content.

The expansion will also include a comprehensive training programme to support broadcasting and journalism across the Pacific including equipment, internships and cross-regional training.

"Informed open conversation facilitated by the media is the backbone of transparent governance," said Peters.

"This initiative provides an opportunity to support broadcasters throughout the region to contribute to that debate."

The expanded Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Ltd service, valued at NZ$10 million over three years, will include a dedicated Pasifika TV channel with New Zealand content, improving both quality and access for free-to-air broadcasters across the region.

"The expansion of the Pasifika TV service will dramatically improve the way in which New Zealand content is delivered across the Pacific," said Peters.

Source

scoop.co.nz

scoop.co.nz

At a press conference on Thursday New Zealand Prime Minster, John Key, said he and Samoan Prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi had discussed the possibility of expanding the existing Recognised Seasonal Employer Strategy, which enables Samoans to access seasonal horticulture and viticulture work, to include trades. "And that's a possibility in Christchurch," according to Key.

Earlier in a speech to mark the 5oth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand Key said Samoans are making a rich and important contribution to the fabric of New Zealand . "The arts and culture of Samoan New Zealanders have enriched New Zealand, and helped form part of our national identity."

Key said "Many of New Zealand's national and international achievements reflect the contributions of highly talented Samoans - whether in arts, literature, sport, film-making, music, business, or a host of other areas. Those success stories are as much Samoan as New Zealand."

"This is reflected in the delegation travelling with me. We have political leaders, church leaders, sports heroes, business people and academics. These are all prominent and proud representatives of Samoan New Zealand communities," he said.

Source

• Voxy.co.nz
• Island Business
• Image: Te News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says a total of $3.8 million in aid money went towards the Samoan and Tongan Governments' providing a temporary underwrite to the airline between 2009 and 2011.

The director of Victoria University's Development Studies programme, John Overton, said aid development could be better spent. "I'm definitely uneasy about New Zealand Aid money being used to subsidize in effect the commercial operations of a New Zealand company in this case Air New Zealand, which would seem to be counter to any of the stated objectives of the New Zealand Aid programme either now or especially in the past."

Although elections last year replaced the military regime with a civilian one, the country still regularly ranks among the worst for human rights and corruption.

Despite this, a group of New Zealanders has set up a successful microfinance charity providing small loans to the country's poorest.

Khup Khan Than works as a tailor in the north of Burma. For years he made ends meet by doing minor repairs on people's clothes.

But, thanks to a small bank loan, he is now able to buy leather polish to restore and resell old jackets, and on some days earns four times what he used to.

The loan came from a community bank set up by the Aotearoa Development Co-Operative (ADC) - a New Zealand-based microfinance charity.

Continue reading 'Kiwis help with small loans for Burma's poorest'.

Image: Himal

The Catholic aid and development agency, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand released its Annual Report this week. Director Mike Smith said it was extremely gratifying to have strong donor support during a recession, and in a year where government funding changes meant Caritas' income from government sources fell from $2.6 million (in 2009) to $350,000. This was partly because of an economic development focus in the new government funding framework, and partly because of delays in implementation.

'Public support was especially evident in the response to appeals for the Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods,' said Mr Smith. 'However, unspecified donations and bequests - available for use across all Caritas' activity - were also up by 24 percent from the previous year.

'In 2010, Caritas was able to support 34 development programmes across the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and responded to 17 emergencies across the globe. Locally, we helped establish and support the Alternative Welfare Working Group; while our education programme produced the excellent video Without Rain - looking at climate change through the eyes of our Nepal partners, and promoting action on the issue.

Read Report

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