New Zealand’s aid programme to the Pacific region will be reviewed by member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The review is part of the Forum Compact Development Partners Peer Review. New Zealand is the first country to be reviewed in this process which will provide an insight into New Zealand’s aid programme and its effectiveness.

The review was prompted by concerns of how the region remained off-track to achieve Millennium Development Goals despite high levels of development assistance. It is hoped the reviewing will drive more effective coordination.

No dates have been confirmed, but a review team will meet in Wellington with New Zealand government and civil agencies. The team will then travel to Kiribati for consultations with the Kiribati government, as a case study for New Zealand’s aid programme in action.