New Zealand and Australia have a more regional focus to their aid in the Pacific than Asian powers, new research shows.
RNZAF Hercules C-130 loads aid relief bound for Vanuatu. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
Data released this week by the Lowy Institute revealed New Zealand's largest aid recipient was the Oceania region, which was Australia's third largest.
The aid of countries like China, Japan and Taiwan was almost all targeted towards individual countries in the Pacific, the data showed.
Australian National University researcher Terence Wood said China and Taiwan neglected regional aid because they were competing for diplomatic allies in the Pacific.
"In the case of China, given that it's more inclined to be giving its aid with a view to geostrategic benefits, it's probably more likely to want to give its aid bilaterally," said Dr Wood.
"That's where you get your influence, rather than through regional institutions."
Unlike Asian powers New Zealand and Australia viewed themselves as stakeholders in the region, Dr Wood said.