Policy Area: Foreign Affairs

Statement of General Direction:

The Parties to the Coalition Agreement acknowledge that New Zealand must maintain an international profile.

Key Initiatives of Policy:

Protect our global economic and political interests in more than 165 countries. Play our part in reducing international conflict, promoting peace and encouraging unrestricted international trade.

Strengthen our commitment to the Asia/Pacific region as our priority area in foreign relations while maintaining an active representation in Europe and North America.

Play an effective role in international organisations, particularly contributing to and in other ways supporting the role of the United Nations in its peacekeeping and humanitarian activities.

Reinforce the special obligations New Zealand has to assist the small independent Pacific Island states, particularly with economic, trade, training and development aid programmes, obligations that have evolved through a long history of immigration and cultural linkages.

Continual increase in New Zealand Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments (currently at 0.24% of GDP), the greater proportion to be directed to the South Pacific (as above). The cost of the delivery of health services to citizens of countries which are the recipients of ODA which creates outstanding debts in the Crown Health Enterprises shall be met from funds withheld during ODA bilateral negotiations.

Fiscal Implications of this Policy Agreement:

Nil

(All funding proposals subject to being considered within the agreed spending policy parameters.)

Legislative Implications of this Policy Agreement:

None