IP/C/W/594/Add.1  
 
1 October 2013  
(13-5270)  Page: 1/10  
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
NEW ZEALAND  
Addendum 
 The following communication, dated 18 Septem ber 2013, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of New Zealand.  
_______________ 
 
 1.  This submission provides a report on New Ze aland's activities in pursuit of commitments under 
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement concerning te chnology transfer to least developed countries 
(LDCs) for the period July 2012 - June 2013 and actions planned. 
2.  Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement provides  that "Developed country Members shall provide 
incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the purpose of promoting and 
encouraging technology transfer to least developed country Members in order to enable them to create a sound and viable technological base". 
3.  Technology transfer is interpreted in this report broadly to include training, education 
and "know-how", along with any capital component. We see four key modes of technology 
transfer: (i) physical objects or equipment; (ii) skills and human aspects of technology management and learning; (iii) designs and blueprints which constitute the document-embodied 
knowledge on information and technology; and (iv)  production arrangement linkages within which 
technology is operated. 
4.  New Zealand appreciates that LDC Members ha ve an interest in learning more about the 
outcomes and operation of Members’ technology tr ansfer programmes. As an annex to this report 
we have included a table of specific examples of  technology transfer to LDCs. The table is in 
response to comments by LDCs wanting the adoption  of a more standardized format of reporting. 
1  OVERVIEW OF INCENTIVES, TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE MODES OF 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
5.  New Zealand's efforts to encourage technology transfer to LDCs occur through a variety of 
channels or modes: promoting a broad economic environment that is conducive to the 
development of New Zealand enterprises and institutions and enables them to transfer technology 
abroad; bilateral and regional development assi stance programmes; encouraging trade in goods 
and services; and facilitating a strong intellectual property environment. However, it should be 
noted that New Zealand recognizes that the most relevant and cost-effective technologies may 
come from other countries (consistent with untied aid).  
6.  In supporting sustainable economic developmen t, including through the transfer of technology, 
New Zealand has increased the focus of its Aid Prog ramme on agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. 
These are key productive sectors for our partners’ future growth prospects, while infrastructure 
and energy are important enabling factors for growth. IP/C/W/594/Add.1 
 
- 2 - 
 
  7.  A key channel for promoting technology transfer from New Zealand to LDCs is through the 
New Zealand Aid Programme, managed by the Minist ry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). MFAT 
views technology transfer as an implicit element in achieving its overall objective of supporting 
sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty; so much so, that it 
often cannot be distinguished from other elements of programmes. 
8.  Due to New Zealand's history, culture and geographic location, the primary geographical focus 
of the New Zealand Aid Programme is the Pacific and key partners in Asia. The particular LDCs 
with which New Zealand has bilateral programmes are: Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, 
Cambodia, Lao PDR and Afghanistan (all of whom are LDC WTO Members or Observers), and Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Timor Leste (non-WTO Member activities are not included in this report).  
9.  The New Zealand Aid Programme has a core focus on sustainable economic development. This 
includes encouraging policies that support growth and investment so that businesses have access 
to the critical infrastructure, finance and markets they need to succeed. Direct, practical support for businesses, for example through mentoring and skills training, is also important to develop 
expertise.  
10.  While not necessarily captured in activities featured in this 2012/2013 Report, MFAT through 
the New Zealand Aid Programme is supporting infrastructure development in the areas of 
renewable energy, transport (e.g. roads and ports) and water supply, which is likely to involve 
elements of technology transfer (e.g. in technology to optimise the management of distributed generation in electricity networks).  
11.  MFAT is also developing a coherent focused programme to support Pacific Island countries to 
develop trade opportunities, and systems and resources to take advantage of these opportunities. 
12.  This report identifies some relevant activi ties with key LDC partners through bilateral or 
regional mechanisms. Any relevant activities of multilateral agencies that New Zealand provides 
core funding to are not reflected in this report. All figures quoted are in New Zealand dollars. 
2  ACTIVITIES PROVIDING TECH NOLOGY TRANSFER TO LDCS  
13.  The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development contestable fund was 
established in 2012 to harness the expertise and innovation of New Zealand charitable, other 
not-for-profit, private sector and state sector organizations in the delivery of aid activities in developing countries, with a particular focus on sustainable economic development. Up to NZ$32 million worth of commitments are made each year towards partnerships between 
New Zealand organizations and local in-country partners delivering development activities. 
This builds on the parameters of previous funds and complements a range of more strategic partnerships with New Zealand agencies working in the Pacific. Activities selected for design and 
implementation under these funds include all ke y modes of technology transfer. For example: 
 Providing equipment (microscopes) and training on early identification of pest and 
disease risk organisms to Pacific quarantine services to enable them to implement 
biosecurity and quarantine measures and gain market access; 
 providing a database and relevant training to  enable five Pacific Island countries to 
manage information on people travelling to  New Zealand for seasonal work, or seeking 
to do so; and 
 establishing an organic waste management  and compost production centre in the 
Cook Islands and upskilling farmers on disaster risk reduction to increase local capacity and reduce demand for imports. 
14.  The New Zealand Aid Programme’s bilateral and regional programmes provide technology 
transfer through training, skill development, and technology infrastructure. The following sections 
provide further background on selected bilateral and regional programmes as examples of 
technology transfer to least developed countries. The information provided is based on the 
reporting criteria agreed by the TRIPS Council in February 2003.  IP/C/W/594/Add.1 
 
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  2.1  EXAMPLES OF BILATE RAL PROGRAMMES WITH LDCs 
15.  As the New Zealand Aid Programme evolves over time, different elements of technology 
transfer will feature. The following are some cu rrent examples from bilateral programmes with a 
number of LDC WTO Member Countries.   
2.1.1  Samoa  
16.  The New Zealand Aid Programme is supporting a major Health Sector Programme which 
provides funding for Samoa to invest in health equipment, specialist training, technical assistance 
and health information systems technology. New Zealand works with Samoa, Australia, the 
World Bank and the United Nations to support the Samoan Ministry of Health and the National Health Service to carry out the programme. New Zealand’s contribution to this multi-donor programme in 2012/2013 was NZ$6.1 million. 
17.  New Zealand support of NZ$600,000 in 2012/2013 went towards Samoa’s Private Sector 
Support Facility (PSSF). The PSSF supports private sector operators to access specific technical advice to strengthen production or marketing proce sses. The entity that carries out the initiative is 
the PSSF Secretariat, which falls under the wider umbrella of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry 
and Labour. 
18.  New Zealand supports Samoa’s programme of In-Country Training (ICT) totalling NZ$471,000 
in 2012/2013. ICT programme allows Samoan organizations to identify training opportunities and 
access international standard trainers to deliver cour ses. The entity with oversight for the initiative 
in Samoa is the Oloamanu Professional Development Centre of the National University of Samoa. MFAT is currently undertaking a review of Huma n Resource Development priorities to achieve 
stronger targeting of, and shape future investme nt in, in-country training and scholarships.  
19.  Finally, the New Zealand Aid Programme supports a range of initiatives in Samoa to foster 
institutional linkages between the two countries which involve technical or managerial skills 
transfer. Examples include programmes between Counties-Manukau District Health Board and the 
Samoan National Health Service and the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department and the Samoan Ministry of Finance. 
2.1.2  Solomon Islands  
20.  The New Zealand Aid Programme has supported the modernization of the information 
management systems of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR). The programme resulted in the establishment of a working IT system enabling networking, data 
processing and more reliability in the licensing process. Databases were also developed for 
recording key information (e.g. receipts, licences and export data). Information is now integrated into regional databases, and licence information is held on an automate webpage for regional 
organizations and enforcement agencies. In 2012/2013 NZ$1.46 million was expended on work 
with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources as part of the Mekem Strong Solomon Islands Fisheries Programme (MSSIF) through a direct grant funding arrangement with 
MFMR, and a number of MFAT-contracted advisers. Broadly, MSSIF aims to build the capacity of 
MFMR to coordinate and lead sustainable development and management of fisheries resources, and the capacity of stakeholders to participate in sector development.  
21.  The New Zealand Aid Programme also support s the institutional development of the Solomon 
Islands Inland Revenue Division. The programme has supported improvements to the 
organization’s Revenue Management System (RMS) and a website and intranet. Additional operational processes have been integrated into RMS, including assessment of provisional tax, 
monitoring of outstanding returns and wider repo rting functions. In 2012/2013 NZ$3.5 million was 
expended on work with the Solomon Islands Inland Revenue Division through a partnership with the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (I RD). Support was provided through secondees 
from the New Zealand IRD and additional contracted advisers. IP/C/W/594/Add.1 
 
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  2.1.3  Vanuatu  
22.  Funding of NZ$6 million over three years (concluding in 2013) has been provided as part of 
New Zealand’s involvement in strengthening the Vanuatu Customary Land Tribunal. The initiative seeks to develop Vanuatu’s land information management systems, and support is aimed at 
managing potential conflict issues over land ownership and user rights. Activities include updating 
current electronic systems for the management of survey information; conversion of record maps 
and survey plans to digital format; and education and training for Department of Lands staff.  
23.  New Zealand assistance to the Justice and Corrections service of NZ$8 million over three 
years to the Vanuatu Department of Corrections will see improvements to key prison facilities and the establishment of new correctional service systems with a focus on rehabilitation, parole and community service. Approximately NZ$0.85 million was disbursed in 2012/2013 for these 
rehabilitation systems, as well as training support for Corrections staff and the establishment of a 
probation system for low-risk and juvenile offenders. A New Zealand judge seconded to the Vanuatu Supreme Court continues to provide efficiency gains and case management 
improvements to the Vanuatu court system, valued at approx. $0.5 million per year.  
24.  New Zealand support of $1.7 million in 2012/2013 went towards basic education support 
including provision of infrastructure and textbooks, teacher training, integrated curriculum 
development, information management systems, school leadership and management activities. 
This is part of a $14 million programme over four years, which is aimed at improving the quality of 
school facilities to accommodate the increasing number of students, as well as improving overall literacy and numeracy rates over the medium term. 
2.2  EXAMPLES FROM REGIONAL APPROACHES  
25.  New Zealand provides LDCs with transfer s of technology and assistance to encourage 
investment through various regional assistance programmes. In some cases it is difficult to 
separate expenditure specifically provided to LDC Members, although it is clear that LDC Members 
within these regions benefit from these programmes. 
2.2.1  Pacific Economic and Trade-Related Activities  
26.  Sound economic management and appropriate policies (e.g. ICT regulation) are critical to 
encourage technology transfer, trade and invest ment. The New Zealand Aid Programme provides 
funding to various regional organizations that provide economic advice, capacity building, or support the development of trade or investment: 
 The Pacific Islands Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC) supports Pacific Island 
Countries to improve economic management through the provision of technical advice and practical support in public financial management, banking regulation, tax 
administration, macroeconomic management and National Accounts, and in coordinating 
donor efforts in these areas. New Zealand has committed NZ$8.9 million for the current five-year cycle of PFTAC through to June 2016 (NZ$1.78 million per annum); 
 The Pacific Islands Trade and Invest (PITI) office in Auckland aims to enhance trade, 
investment and tourism opportunities for Pacific Island businesses. In 2012/2013, New Zealand contributed NZ$890,000 to the operation of PITI.  
27.  The New Zealand Aid Programme has funded the design and installation of a New Zealand-
designed customs database (PC Trade) in a number of Pacific Island Countries, including several 
LDCs. The Programme also funds helpdesk services  provided by Statistics New Zealand to enable 
countries to effectively utilize this technology. The funding to Statistics New Zealand has been 
extended to 30 June 2014 for helpdesk services, as well as additional funding for software 
replacement.  
2.2.2  Pacific Environmental Activities  
28.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides financial support to the Secretariat of the Pacific 
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) (NZ$1.5 million in 2012/2013). This agency in IP/C/W/594/Add.1 
 
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  turn provides technical assistance to Pacific Countries and Territories in the areas of biodiversity 
and ecosystem management, climate change, wa ste management and pollution control, and 
environmental monitoring and governance, and a ccordingly promotes the transfer of knowledge 
into the region. In 2012/2013 New Zealand moved to a new multiyear funding partnership with 
SPREP.  
29.  The New Zealand Aid Programme has provided support to regional meteorological services 
through the Island Climate Update project ($0.22 million over 2010-2012). This activity has a 
strong focus on technology transfer to the Pacific region.  
2.2.3  New Zealand Scholarships  30.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides scholarships to citizens of targeted developing and 
least developed countries to undertake vocational tr aining or tertiary level study in New Zealand or 
in the Pacific region. During 2012/2013 approximately 13,000 students from developing and least 
developed countries were studying in New Zealand on New Zealand Aid Programme funded scholarships, with funding totalling approximat ely NZ$51.4 million. A total of approximately 
NZ$20.7 million was allocated for scholarships for students from Pacific Island LDCs in 2012/2013. 
31.  The scholarships enhance the skills, training an d knowledge of the recipients so that they can 
assist in the social and economic development of their home countries. Scholarships are offered 
only for training and qualifications in subjects and skills which are relevant to the identified human 
resource development needs and priorities of each country. 
3  OTHER NEW ZEALAND PROGRAMMES WITH A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COMPONENT  3.1  Intellectual Property 
32.  The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) provides ongoing technical 
assistance, on request, to help developing and least developed countries on issues relating to the registration of intellectual property rights, including plant variety rights (see Article 67 Report).  
3.2  Recognized Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) 
33.  In April 2007 the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme came into effect, enabling 
employers in the horticulture and viticulture indust ries to recruit seasonal workers from offshore, 
with a preference for the Pacific. The purpose of  the scheme is to provide New Zealand employers 
with a reliable source of seasonal labour and to provide Pacific workers with income and employment opportunities. Since 2007, more than 39,000 RSE seasonal labourers have visited New Zealand to take up employment opportunities in horticulture and viticulture. 
34.  While RSE workers are in New Zealand they learn a variety of new skills and undertake 
training opportunities. In the last few seasons, all of the LDCs in the Pacific (Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) have had workers in New Zealand through the RSE 
scheme.  
35.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides significant financial support to facilitate the 
scheme, including: 
 A three-year programme training 500 RSE workers per annum in literacy, numeracy, 
computer literacy and financial literacy, which commenced in February 2012.  
  A Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment assistance programme for participating 
RSE Pacific governments (Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) 
to ensure the smooth running of the scheme,  including an in-country component to 
provide New Zealand recognized qualifications in horticulture to past and present RSE 
workers (an in-country pilot started in Samoa in 2012 and is now expanding to Tonga in 
2013).   
  IP/C/W/594/Add.1  
 
- 6 -  
 
ANNEX1 
 
The following chart presents some examples of activities underta ken by the principle New Zealand agency involved in technology transfer activities, the New 
Zealand Aid Programme (NZAID). It is not an exhaustive list of activities undertaken by NZAID, but rather serves to exemplify t he institutions and enterprises 
that transfer physical capital and goods, know-how, information, and data to LDCs. This chart has been developed to show certai n criteria as requested by 
LDCs at the October 2011 Workshop on Article 66.2.  
 
 
 
                                               
1 In English only.  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.1  
 
- 7 - NEW ZEALAND: EXAMPLES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS 
1. NZAID BILATERAL PROGRAMMES 
Title of 
project/ 
pro-
gramme Policy 
objective
/ 
purpose Government 
agencies or 
institutions 
eligible in 
the provision 
of incentives 
for tech 
transfer  Enterprises 
or other 
institutions 
eligible for 
incentives 
in LDCs 
(Transfer-
or) 
Targeted 
LDC Members 
(Transferee ) Types of 
incentives 
measures for 
tech transfer Field or 
sector of 
tech 
transfer 
activities Type of 
technology 
transferred  Expected 
output 
related to 
tech 
transfer Outcomes/ 
impact 
Budget or 
funds allo-
cated (NZ$) 
Duration 
Status Contact 
point for 
information 
Private 
Sector 
Support 
Facility (PSSF) To build 
the private 
sector as 
an engine of economic 
develop-
ment through internal and 
external 
trade  All of private 
sector is 
eligible with 
dominant focus on small to medium 
businesses.  PSSF 
Secretariat  Samoa
 Capacity 
building 
through 
technical assistance and training  Targets 
manufactur-
ing, 
agriculture, commerce and 
knowledge, 
tourism and fishing  Contestable 
grants for 
associations 
and groups to help support private sector 
development 
including specific technical advice to 
strengthen 
production or marketing processes Examples 
include the 
production 
of promotional materials, 
training, 
participation in trade fairs and market research.  
 Strengthen-
ed value 
chains and 
opportun-ities for trade 3
 million  2007-
2013 Project 
Ongoing PSSF 
Secretariat 
based at the 
Ministry of Commerce Industry and 
Labour  
http://www.
mcil.gov.ws/i
dipd_scheme
s.html#pssf 
 
 
  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.1  
 
- 8 - NEW ZEALAND: EXAMPLES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS 
1. NZAID BILATERAL PROGRAMMES: 
Title of 
project/ 
pro-
gramme Policy 
objective/ 
purpose Govern-
ment 
agencies or 
institu-
tions 
eligible in 
the 
provision 
of 
incentives 
for 
technology 
transfer Enterprises 
or other 
institutions 
eligible for 
incentives 
in LDCs 
(Transfer-
or) 
Targeted LDC Members 
(Trans-feree) Types of 
incentives 
measures 
for 
technology 
transfer Field or 
sector of 
technology 
transfer 
activities Type of 
technology 
transferred Expected 
output 
related to 
technology 
transfer Outcomes/  
impact 
Budget or funds 
allocated (NZ$) 
Duration 
Status Contact 
point for 
information 
In 
Country 
Training Pro-gramme (ICTP) Strengthened 
capacity of 
individuals and organizations in the public, private and 
non-governme
nt sectors All NGO, 
private and 
public institutions are eligible. Chamber of 
Commerce  Samoa
 Technical or 
specialized 
training.  Targets the 
public sector, 
private sector and civil society sectors. Each 
sector self-
identifies and prioritizes training courses, based 
on annual 
training needs analyses of their constituent 
members 
  Allows 
Samoan 
organizations to identify training opportunities 
and access 
international standard trainers to deliver 
courses. 
 
Examples: 
 
- Human 
Resource Management;  
- Accounting 
Practices for Non Accountants;  - Time 
Management 
and Office Productivity - Civil Court 
Proceedings 
and Debt Recovery. Short 
relevant 
courses focused on providing practical 
skills for 
immediate application on the participants’ 
return to 
work. The number of courses provided 
annually 
range between 30 to 33 
courses. Enhanced 
capacity and 
performance of the public, private and 
non govern
mental sectors 1.6
 
million 2009-
2013 Project 
ongoing  http://www.s
amoaictp.ws  
 
This programme is managed by 
the Oloamanu 
Professional Development Centre (OPDC) of the 
National 
University of Samoa   
  IP/C/W/594/Add.1  
 
- 9 - NEW ZEALAND: EXAMPLES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS 
1. NZAID BILATERAL PROGRAMMES 
Title of 
project/ 
pro- 
gramme Policy 
objective
/ 
purpose Govt.  
agencies or 
institutions 
eligible in 
the 
provision 
of 
incentives 
for 
technology 
transfer Enterprises 
or other 
institutions 
eligible for 
incentives 
in LDCs 
(Transferor
) 
Targeted LDC 
Members 
(Transferee) Types of 
incentives 
measures 
for 
technology 
transfer Field or  
sector of 
technology 
transfer 
activities Type of 
technology 
transferred Expected output 
related to 
technology 
transfer Outcomes/  
impact 
Budget or funds 
allocated (NZ$) 
Duration 
Status Contact 
point for 
inform-
ation 
Solomon 
Islands Inland 
Revenue 
Division Improved 
protection of the 
revenue 
base for the Solomon Islands, 
and 
support for private sector develop-
ment 
through a more transpar-ent, 
efficient 
and business friendly tax 
regime Solomon 
Islands Government 
Inland 
Revenue Division New Zealand 
Inland Revenue 
Department Solomon 
Islands Capacity 
building through 
technical 
assistance and training   Management 
of taxes, including tax 
policies and 
legislation, and appropriate and efficient 
systems and 
management processes which enable fulfilment of 
basic functions 
 Improvements 
to the organization’s 
Revenue 
Management System (RMS) and a website and intranet. 
Additional 
operational processes have been integrated into 
RMS, including 
assessment of provisional tax, monitoring of 
outstanding 
returns and wider reporting 
functions. Progressive and 
gender- sensitive tax policies and 
legislation which 
protect and enhance the revenue base  
A set of strategies 
that help people file on time, make payments when due and ensure 
the returns they 
file are complete  Appropriate and efficient systems 
and management 
processes, which enable fulfilment of basic functions 
 
Competencies are built, as well as leaderships and management 
expertise at all 
levels. A more 
capable organization 
able to fulfil 
the basic functions of a tax system.  13.5
 
million 2009-
2013 Project 
ongoing www.ird.
gov.sb  
 
 
  
  IP/C/W/594/Add.1  
 
- 10 - NEW ZEALAND: EXAMPLES OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS 
1. NZAID REGIONAL PROGRAMMES 
Title of 
project/ 
Prog-
gramme Policy 
objective/ 
purpose Govt. or 
institutions 
eligible in 
the 
provision 
of 
incentives 
for 
technology 
transfer  Enterprises 
or other 
institutions 
eligible for 
incentives in 
LDCs 
(Transferor) 
Target-ed LDC 
Members 
(Transferee) Types 
of 
incentiv
es 
measur
es for 
technol
ogy 
transfer Field or 
sector of 
tech 
transfer 
activities Type o f  
technology 
transferred Expected 
output 
related to 
technology 
transfer Outcomes/  
impact 
Budget or funds 
allocated (NZ$) 
Duration 
Status Contact 
point for 
infor-
mation 
Pacific 
Financial Technical Assistance 
Centre Improved 
economic management leading to 
sustainable 
economic growth across the Pacific 
Islands Government 
departments including Treasury, 
Revenue and 
Customs International 
Monetary Fund Pacific 
Regional (include-ing 
Timor-
Leste) Capacity 
building through technical 
assistan
ce and training  Public 
Financial Management  
Revenue 
policy and administration  Economic 
statistics 
 Financial sector supervision 
 
Macro-economic management 
The provision of 
technical advice and practical support in public 
financial 
management, banking regulation, tax administration, 
macroeconomic 
management and National Accounts, and in coordinating 
donor efforts in 
these areas Technical 
advice and capacity building 
delivered 
through advisory missions   
On-demand 
remote advice (email, phone)  Manuals and 
guidance 
notes on key issues  Regional and 
sub-regional 
training courses and seminars Improved 
economic management in the Pacific 
region through 
the provision of technical advice and capacity 
building to 
Pacific Island countries, in key areas of public sector 
financial 
management 8.9
 
million 2011-
2015 Project 
on-going http://www
.pftac.org/   
 
    
 
 
 
  
__________