July 2012 Development stories

Receive the latest development stories by subscribing to NewZAID. NewZAID is sent to subscribers at the end of each month linking to new development stories on this website and providing other development related news.

Ceremony marks opening of Tonga’s first solar farm

The Maama Mai solar facility in Tonga is the result of a unique partnership between the New Zealand and Tongan governments, and SEOs Tonga Power Limited and Meridian Energy. Officially opened by His Majesty King Tupou VI, Maama Mai (which translates as “let there be light”) brings Tonga a step closer to reducing its reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels.

Sound tourism infrastructure key to more prosperous Niue

Tourism has been identified as the primary driver of economic development for the tiny island nation of Niue. Among the joint goals of Niue and New Zealand is the development of a full tourism package to promote Niue as a unique, exciting and pristine destination. To this end the New Zealand government has funded the upgrade of Niue’s primary tourist accommodation, the Matavai resort.

Cross-sectoral workshops explore partnership possibilities

The New Zealand Aid Programme’s Partnerships and Funds team organised two successful cross sectoral partnerships workshops in Auckland and Wellington recently, bringing people with an interest in international aid and development together to explore models and possibilities for public, private and non-government partnerships.

Profile: Ray Schofield, CEO Business Mentors New Zealand

Chief Executive of Business Mentors New Zealand, Ray Schofield, spoke to NewZAID about the Pacific Business Mentor’s programme, now operating with 70 mentors and in 600 businesses across seven Pacific nations; Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Solomon Islands. The programme is set to extend to three other Pacific countries this year.

Rural village enjoys improved water facilities in Timor-Leste

Memo, an isolated village on Timor-Leste’s border with Indonesia, experiences water scarcity for a few months each year, but with the support of the New Zealand Aid Programme, ChildFund has ensured around 200 households and 438 students now have easy access to clean water.

Samoan students selected for Hospitality Training in New Zealand

Five Samoan students have now been selected for hospitality training in New Zealand. These awards were first discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum private sector dialogue in 2011, and will allow students to gain certificates not yet available in Samoa while receiving on-the job training and supervision at ACCOR Hotels in New Zealand. The aim of the programme is to equip students for management positions on their return to Samoa, and contribute to the growing human resource need in the tourism sector.