New Zealand agencies have written an Open Letter calling on the government to increase the Official Development Aid (ODA) spending in this year’s budget. Christian World Service welcomed the opportunity to support the letter, coordinated by the Council for International Development of which it is a member.

The group of 37 agencies are asking for an urgent increase in ODA spending, to reach 0.5 percent of the Gross National Income (GNI). 

The letter, addressed to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Rt Hon. Winston Peters and Hon. David Seymour urges the coalition government leaders to commit to providing aid beyond our borders.

“In these challenging times, it is tempting to turn inward and focus solely on domestic challenges. However, as crises compound globally, the world looks to New Zealand to boldly live up to our international commitments. We have an important role to play both in the Pacific region, and to the most urgent humanitarian crises around the world.

“Therefore, we implore you, Ministers, to increase New Zealand’s overseas development assistance to 0.5 percent in this year’s budget with a plan to incrementally increase this year on year to 0.7 percent in this term of Government,” wrote the agencies.

Concerned people may like to raise the matter with their MP or send a supporting message to the leaders.

In 2022, aid levels fell to 0.22 percent of GNI, well below the 0.7 percent commitment first made in 1970. On 30 May, the Minister of Finance Nicola Willis will announce the budget for next year. It will include the ODA allocation for the next three years, making an increase this year important.

In the year ending 30 June, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the highest ever aid expenditure of NZ$971.5 million. It delivered 61 percent ($592.2 million) in the Pacific (including the Cook Islands which technically are not eligible for ODA), 1% ahead of its goal.

Aid levels are reported to the OECD (Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development) which analyses ODA. New Zealand ranked 26th in 2022, behind countries like Hungary, Slovenia, and Iceland.

“Foreign aid and ODA are not a handout; it is an investment in the type of world we all aspire to see,“ the letter concluded.