April - June 2011 Development stories

Education envoy visits local Honiara school

New Zealand’s Special Envoy for education to the Pacific Allan Peachey MP and guests were given a warm reception when they visited Mount Horeb Community High School in June as part of an official visit to Solomon Islands.

McCully travels to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands

Foreign Minister, Murray McCully travelled to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands from 14-16 June to meet with leaders ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum in Auckland later this year.

New Zealand NGOs to secure development funding

Funding recommendations made by an independent selection panel under the second round of the Government’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) will see almost $25 million committed to New Zealand non-government organisations (NGOs) working in developing countries.

Cook Islands health programme will continue

Acting New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands Nicola Ngawati has announced New Zealand will continue to support the Health Specialist Visits Programme that will see improved health care for the people of the Cook Islands.

Community-based Tourism project in Lao PDR

New Zealand’s Ambassador to Lao PDR, Bede Corry, and the Lao PDR Tourism Minister, Somphong Mongkhonvilay launched a new Community Based Tourism project in May.

Revamp for Cook Islands preschool

The kids at Blackrock Preschool in Cook Islands now have a new playground and facilities, thanks to funding from the New Zealand Aid Programme Community Initiatives Scheme (CIS).

Pacific Partnership, Tonga and Vanuatu

On 12 May New Zealand’s involvement in the US-led exercise Pacific Partnership concluded, following four weeks of humanitarian aid and disaster relief activities on Niuatoputapu in Tonga and Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu.

2010/2011 cyclone season

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade coordinates the New Zealand Government response to natural disasters in the Pacific, which can include the deployment of relief supplies and emergency personnel or the funding of humanitarian agencies.

Rainwater collection in Cook Islands

A $2.2 million project will deliver improved rainwater collection systems and community water tanks in the Northern Cook Islands to help communities and local government better manage water systems and reduce risks related to droughts.

Pacific Scholarship scheme expanded

Many past and current Pacific leaders studied in New Zealand and went on to make their mark in the region and the world. Under the new New Zealand Pacific Scholarships scheme, launched by Foreign Minister Murray McCully in early April, the next generation of Pacific leaders now have even more opportunities to follow in their footsteps.

Support for tourism in Tonga

New Zealand’s support for the tourism sector in Tonga is already getting results and a major promotion is now underway to attract tourists to the Island Kingdom around the time of the Rugby World Cup.

150km of new roads open in Vanuatu

Two new major roads in Vanuatu have now officially opened. The East Coast Santo Road, and the Efate Ring Road were constructed as part project led by the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The project has realigned and upgraded 92km of road linking Port Vila with outlying coastal villages and 48km on the island of Santo.

Waste Management and Sanitation, Cook Islands

A $3 million programme aimed at improving lagoon water quality in Rarotonga and Aitutaki is now underway. The Waste Management and Sanitation Improvement Programme is being funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme and has been developed in consultation with Cook Island Government agencies, businesses and civil society.