New Zealand Official Development Assistance for water resource development: lessons and opportunities

Abstract

Between 1981 and 1993 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), provided over NZ$ 46 million (1993 dollars) to 43 water resource projects through the New Zealand Official Development Assistance programme (NZODA). An evaluation of this recent assistance is currently being undertaken in accordance with general MFAT policy to periodically evaluate NZODA programme activity. This first stage of the evaluation includes a desk study review of project files and reports and a review of the international water resource development literature to compare the experience of other donors. By considering the lessons that can be learnt from international and NZODA experience, conclusions for future NZODA water resource development projects have been drawn in terms of meeting the objectives of the NZODA Guiding Principles and in terms of meeting the objectives of international water resource development policy. Recommendations have been made for ex-post evaluations and for undertaking investigations into aspects of water resource development of regional significance. Recommendations are made for further stages in the evaluation of NZODA for water resource development.