Pacific

Survey finds majority of NZ parties want to increase aid

15:11 pm on 21 August 2014

A survey has found the majority of New Zealand's political parties agree the country's aid budget is too low.

The Council for International Development put five questions to 14 political parties which are contesting next month's election.

Seven of the 11 parties which responded to the survey say they are committed to reaching a target of 0.7 percent of Gross National Income, which would more than double the present aid budget.

That includes National, Labour and the Green Party.

The council's director, Wren Green, says New Zealand's aid budget has been too low for too long while the problems facing those living in extreme poverty are becoming more complex.

Dr Green says increasing New Zealand's aid budget to 840 million US dollars a year would make a real difference to addressing inequality, especially in the Pacific.

The council is an umbrella organisation for the majority of New Zealand organisations working in the aid sector.