WWF is part of the Pointseven campaign to increase New Zealand's
overseas aid: more information is at
http://www.cid.org.nz/advocacy/point-seven/

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Statement For immediate release 14th May 2007

WWF-New Zealand welcomes government increase in aid

Today's announcement that the New Zealand government is increasing overseas development assistance has been welcomed by global conservation organization WWF.

In response to Foreign Minister Winston Peters' announcement today that New Zealand's ODA budget is to increase by $70 million in the 2007/8 budget, Okesene Moananu, Community Development Programme Leader for WWF-New Zealand said:

"This is good news for people today in the developing world first and foremost as it means more aid will be delivered on the ground to the people who are most in need. Lifting ODA to 0.3 per cent of GNI is a very positive step by the New Zealand government towards achieving the OECD target of 0.7 per cent of GNI to ODA by 2015. The increase today brings New Zealand closer in line with the level of aid of other OECD donors - but we still have a long way to go.

"There has only been a very slow increase in aid over the last two to three years. At WWF, we have been part of the campaign to raise the New Zealand aid budget so we're really delighted with today's news. It signals the government has committed to a formula for achieving the OECD target by 2015. The challenge now is making sure the government continues to increase the aid budget over the coming years, to meet New Zealand's commitment and we will be continuing to campaign to ensure this happens."

ENDS

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