New Zealand's Development Assistance to the South Pacific: Factors Influencing the Level, Direction and Nature of Allocations Since 1962

Abstract

The increasing disparity in income between the rich and poor, ubiquitously referred to as the North/South dialogue, is perhaps one of the most important elements affecting global interaction. It is evident in everyones lives: for the majority, unfavourably; and for a very few, favourably. Without qualification, this situation must be viewed as unacceptable. Many in the "North" do see a humanitarian responsibility to ensure a more equitable distribution of the world's wealth and resources. This is often viewed as common humanity or Christian concern. More realistically, Hobbes perceived such attitudes as a form of insurance by the wealthy, lest the situation ever be reversed. A major purpose of this study is to determine why from a foreign policy perspective, New Zealand gives aid to the South Pacific. What external influences, if any, have affected its development assistance to this region during the 1960's and 70's ? If based wholly or mainly on humanitarian principles, we would expect New Zealand's aid to meet the needs of the Islands, their people and their economies. The Islands have made it clear that this could best be achieved by, amongst other measures, relieving Island population pressures, improving Islands' balance of payments situations through encouragement of exports, and overcoming common regional problems which restrict the Islands' development. Under such circumstances New Zealand's commitment to an equitable world order would be measured by the degree of sacrifice and not deterred by "political and economic realism". On the other hand, if New Zealand viewed its aid as an aspect or extension of its foreign policy, this expenditure would reflect wider considerations than those of pure humanitarianism.