A leading aid agency today accused New Zealand of failing to keep its promise to help the poorest communities in the world work their way out of poverty.
This made it clear that New Zealand was one of the world's laggards when it came to meeting its United Nations (UN) commitment of allocating 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI) to development aid by 2015.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), New Zealand's development aid allocation was just 0.29 percent of GNI in 2009 -- less than half the UN target.
Oxfam New Zealand executive director Barry Coates said today's budget announcement did nothing to lift the level of spending in line with New Zealand's international commitments and the urgent needs of the world's poor.
"With the poorest regions in the world, including our Pacific neighbours, being hit hardest by the impacts of the global economic recession and climate change, it is the worst possible moment for richer countries like New Zealand to retreat from our international commitments," he said.
As a consequence of the economic crisis alone, Oxfam estimated poor countries now needed an extra $46 billion to cover their financing needs.
"Most New Zealanders think we are good global citizens. Sadly, when it comes to government aid for poor countries that is not the case," Mr Coates said.
Five countries already exceed the UN target -- Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium -- and the 27 members of the European Union as a whole have committed to reaching the target by 2015.
Australia has committed to substantial increases to achieve 0.5 percent by 2015.
