IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
2 November  2016 
(16-6011) Page: 1/16 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights  Original: English  
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEM ENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEME NT 
NEW ZEALAND  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated 26 October 2016, from the d elegation of New Zealand , is 
being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on Implementation o f Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement (IP/C/28).  
 
_______________  
 
 
1.  This submission provides an updated report on New Zealand 's activities in pursuit of 
commitments under Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement concerning technology transfer to least 
developed  countries (LDCs) for the period July 2015 - June 2016 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 promot ing 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:   
(a) physical objects or equipment;  
(b) skills and human aspects of technology management and learning;  
(c) designs and blueprints which constitute the document -embodied knowledge  on 
information and technology; and  
(d) production arrangement linkages within which technology is operated.  
4.  We appreciate that LDC Members have an interest in learning more about the outcomes and 
operation of Members ' technology transfer programmes. As an annex to th is 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 standardised format of reporting.  
1  OVERVIEW OF INCENTIV ES, TYPES OF TECHNOL OGY AND THE MODES OF 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER  
5.  New Zealand 's efforts to encourage technology transfer to LDCs occur through a variety of 
channels:  
 promoting a broad economic environment that is conducive to the development of New 
Zealand enterprises and institutions and enables them to transfer technology abroad;  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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   encouraging trade in goods, services and labour mobility;  and 
 facilitating a strong intellectual property environment; as well as through New Zealand 's 
bilateral and re gional development programmes.  
Though N ew Zealand re cogniz es that the most relevant and cost -effective technologies may come 
from other countries (consistent with untied aid).   
 
6.  A key channel for promoting technology transfer from New Zealand to LDCs is through the New 
Zealand Aid Programme, managed by the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). MFAT 
views technology transfer as a fundamental element in achieving its overall objective of investing 
money, knowledge and skills to deliver sustainable development and poverty reduction in 
developing countr ies. 
7.  Owing  to New  Zealand 's history, culture and location, the primary geographical focus of the 
New Zealand Aid Programme is the Pacific and key partners in Asia.  The LDCs with which New 
Zealand has bilateral or targeted regional programmes are: Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cambodia, 
Lao PDR, Myanmar and Afghanistan (all of whom are LDC WTO Members or Observers), and 
Ethiopia, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Timor Leste (non -WTO Member activities are not the focus of this 
report).   
8.  The New Zealand Aid Programme has 1 2 investment priorities that reflect key development 
opportunities in our partner countries and draw on New Zealand 's strengths. These include two 
flagship priorities – renewable energy and agriculture – where New Zealand can offer specialist 
expertise. Th e other priorities including key productive sectors (fisheries and tourism), enabling 
infrastructure (ICT connectivity and transport), human development (health and education), along 
with economic governance, trade and labour mobility, law and justice and humanitarian response.  
9.  The New Zealand Aid Programme 's bilateral and regional programmes provide technology 
transfer through training, skill development, and technology infrastructure.  This report offers a 
series of illustrative examples of bilateral and regional development activities that result in a 
transfer of technology to LDCs. The information provided is based on the reporting criteria agreed 
by the TRIPS Council in February 2003.  
10.  Any relevant activities of multilateral agencies that New Zealand pro vides core funding to are 
not reflected in this report.  All figures quoted are in New Zealand dollars.  
2  ODA ACTIVITIES PROVI DING TECHNOLOGY TRAN SFER TO LDCS  
2.1  EXAMPLES OF BILATERAL PROGRAMMES WITH LDCs  
11.  As the New Zealand Aid Programme evolves over time, dif ferent elements of technology 
transfer will feature. The following are some current examples from bilateral programmes with a 
number of LDC WTO Member Countries.    
2.1.1   Solomon Islands  
12.  Examples of initiatives supported recently by the New  Zealand Aid Programm e are:  
 The installation of the 1 megawatt Honiara Solar Farm that was opened on 10 May 2016. 
The farm will contribute the first electricity to the Honiara grid from renewabl e sources, 
generate 4%  of the total electricity supply to Honiara and save Solomon Power more 
than 450,000 litres of diesel fuel annually. New  Zealand partnered with the United Arab 
Emirates on this project and con tributed the cost for 40%  of the Farm 's generation 
capacity.  
 The New  Zealand Aid Programme is supporting Caritas Aotearoa New  Zealand through 
the contestable Partnerships Fund to deliver a pilot project to install, test and adapt a 
new hybrid wind -solar system to provide power for isolated communities and facilities. 
While individual components of this system already exist, the pilot will integrate them 
into a hybrid system and develop the communications and supervisory software needed IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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  to address major social and technical issues that have led other similar initiatives to fail 
due to insufficient support and maintenance. The tota l value of the innovation is 
NZ$100,000 (MFAT funding: NZ$90,000; Caritas funding: NZ$10,000). Caritas is 
partnering with New  Zealand organiz ation Powerhouse Wind Limited to deliver the pilot. 
Implementation is likely to commence in late 2016 or early 2017  at the Bishop Koete 
Rural Training Centre on Ngela Island.  
2.1.2   Vanuatu  
13.  New Zealand, the Government of Vanuatu and the World Bank are working on the Vanuatu 
Rural Electrification Project (VREP Phase I) to deliver affordable renewable energy to people in 
rural areas. New Zealand has committed NZ$6m over six  years (2014 -2020) through the Pacific 
Regional Infrastruct ure Facility. VREP will subsidiz e low -maintenance solar photovoltaic 'plug and 
play' systems for approximately 17,500 households, in addition to 230 health posts and 2,000 not -
for-profit community halls in rura l areas. The project was mobiliz ed during 2014/15 with technical 
advice supplied to establish an Environmental Code of Practice (ECOP) for the disposal of the 
waste batteries, in 2015/16 two vend ors/retailers were registered to supply subsidised products to 
two provinces and a solar electricity product catalogue was released to showcase six products of 
varying quality and price range.  
14.  In 2015/16, New  Zealand provided over NZ$5m towards basic educa tion support, which 
includes the provision of infrastructure and textbooks, teacher training, integrated curriculum 
development, information management systems, school leadership and management activities. 
This is part of a NZ$14m pr ogramme over four  years , in partnership with the Australian 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, known as the Vanuatu Education Support Programme, or 
VESP. VESP has a number of goals, including improving the quality of school facilities to 
accommodate the increasing number o f students, and improving overall literacy and numeracy 
rates over the medium term.  
15.  New Zealand continues to work with UNICEF providing over $5m over  four years (2013 -2017) 
towards water and sanitation projects that gain public health benefits for communit ies across four 
Provinces reaching over 11,700 people, and contributing to the Government goal of 
91% population access by 2018. UNICEF and New  Zealand have placed a high level technical 
adviser in the Department of Geology, Mines and Water to strengthen t he Government of 
Vanuatu 's approach to the sector. The Activity is supporting water source mapping across Vanuatu 
through embedding a mobile data collection platform within the  Department of Water that utiliz es 
smart phones to record and map water source i nformation, government water officers have 
mapped over 4 ,000 water points across the country and are on track to map 100% of water 
sources by mid  2017.  
2.1.3   Afghanistan  
16.  New Zealand is building capacity in Afghanistan for ongoing operation of a New  Zealand 
funde d renewable energy system gifted to the Afghan Government in mid -2016. The Renewable 
Energy Programme (REP) is supporting economic development in the Bamyan province through 
the electrification of Bamyan town. The REP Capability Building and Technical Supp ort Programme 
(CBP) is providing support to Afghanistan 's energy utility company with the aim of ensuring long -
term operation of the 1MW system (four modular PV systems) and distribution network for 
2,490  connections. The project aims to increase commercia l activity; improve functioning of 
provincial and district governments; and improve quality of life through better access to lighting, 
modern communication and computer technology.  
2.1.4   Myanmar  
17.  New Zealand is investing in a five -year $6.1m project to improve M yanmar 's dairy industry. 
The Myanmar Dairy Excellence Project aims to improve the quantity and quality of milk produced 
in three regions by introducing new types of forage and pasture management, animal and farm 
management techniques, and protocols for the  safe and hygienic collection, transportation and 
processing of milk and milk products.  The project has included visits by farmers and Ministry of 
Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation officials to New Zealand to study farming and cheese -making 
practices.  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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  2.2   EXAMPLES FROM REGIONAL PROGRAMMES  
18.  New Zealand provides LDCs with transfers 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  
19.  Sound economic management and appropriate policies (e.g. ICT regulation) are critical to 
encourage technol ogy transfer, trade and investment.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides 
funding to various regional organiz ations that provide economic advice, capacity building, or 
support the development of trade or investment:  
 The Pacific Islands Financial Technica l 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 an d National Accounts, and in coordinating 
donor efforts in these areas.   New Zealand has c ommitted $12m for the current five -year 
cycle of PFTAC through to June 2020.  
 The Pacific Islands Trade and  Invest (PITI) office in Auckland aims to enhance trade, 
investment and tourism opportunities for Pacific Island businesses. New Zealand 
contributes NZ$900,000 per year to the operation of PITI.   
20.  The New Zealand Aid Programme sup ports the development and utiliz ation of quality trade 
statistics in the Pacific throug h funding P C Trade. PC Trade is a computer -based software system 
designed by Statistics New Zealand that provides Pacific Island Countries, includ ing several LDCs 
with a customiz ed, fit for purpose system for collecting trade data and producing trade repor ts. 
The system supports a variety of functions including processing customs declarations and 
manifests, managing levies, tariffs and excise duties, applying selected hi gher level World Customs 
Organiz ation codes, and retaining a record of transactions at t he border.  From this data, simple 
reports can be generated that are then used to evaluate economic progress  and inform decision 
making. In -country training an d a help desk support service are  also provided as part of this 
programme.  
2.2.2   Pacific Environmental  Activities  
21.  The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides financial support  to the 
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) ( NZ$4.6m over three years 
2016-2018). SPREP in turn  provides technical advice, programme s upport and capacity building 
assistance to Pacific island countries and territories in the areas of biodiversity and ecosystem 
management, climate change,  ocean acidification, waste management and pollution control,  and 
environmental monitoring  and governa nce, and accordingly promotes the transfer of knowledge 
into the region.  
2.2.3   Recognized  Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme  
22.  In April 2007 the Recognized  Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme came into effect, enabling 
employers in the horticulture and viticulture industr ies 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 opportuniti es.  While RSE workers are in New Zealand they also have the opportunity 
to up-skill and undertake a variety of training courses.   
23.  Since 2007, more than 64,000 RSE seasonal labourers have worked in New Zealand 's 
horticulture and viticulture industries. Of  that, over 29,000 RSE visas have been issued to workers 
from LDCs in the Pacific (Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu).  
24.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides significant financial support to facilitate the 
scheme, including:  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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   A NZ$4.5m programme , which commenced in February 2012 , training RSE workers in 
literacy, numeracy, computer literacy and financial literacy . The programme was up -
scaled and will now provide training to a total of 5,900 workers o ver four and a half 
years (2012 –2017).  
 A Minist ry of Business, Innovation and Employment assistance programme ( NZ$6m) to 
build capacity of Pacific governments to ensure the smooth running of the RSE scheme.  
2.2.4   AANZFTA Economic Cooperation Support Programme  
25.  The Agreement Establishing the ASEAN -Australia -New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) 
mandates a programme of technical assistance activities known as the AANZFTA Economic 
Cooperation Support Programme (AECSP). The AECSP is jointly funded by Australia and 
New Zealand. Between 2010 and 2015, it had an ove rall budget of AUD$20 to $25 million. 
New Zealand contributes AUD$1 for every AUD$7 contributed by Australia.  
26.  Projects funded by the AECSP are available to all ten ASEAN member states, including three 
LDCs: Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. The aim of the AEC SP is to facilitate AANZFTA 
implementation; progress built -in agenda negotiations; achieve deeper economic integration 
among the parties; and increase business utilisation of AANZFTA.  
27.  During the period July 2015 –July 2016, numerous AECSP projects promoted technology 
transfer, particularly the transfer of skills and human aspects of technology management and 
learning. Some examples of projects involving Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar include:  
 a workshop aimed at developing the capacity of government agencies to collect and 
process data to quantify the utiliz ation of the AANZFTA tariff preferences in trade among 
the parties ; 
 training programmes on the transposition of AANZFTA Tariff Reduction Schedules and 
Rules of Origin Product Specific Rules from 2012 versio n of the Harmonized System to 
HS 2017 ; 
 OECD Investment Policy Reviews for Cambodia and Lao PDR (ongoing) ; 
 enhancing the participation of small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) in AANZFTA;  
 ongoing "Capacity Building on Statistics of International Trade i n Services " project which 
aims to build institutional capacity in data collection and reporting ; and  
 Phase 2 of the "Accession to the Madrid Protocol Project " contributed to the accession of 
Cambodia and Lao PDR to the Madrid Protocol in 2015 and supported  Myanmar in 
developing its trademark law.  
3  EXAMPLES FROM GLOBAL  PROGRAMMES  
3.1  Partnerships for International Development Fund  
28.  The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development contestable fund was 
established in 2012 to harness the expertise and innov ation of New Zealand charitable, other not -
for-profit, private  sector and state sector organiz ations in the delivery of aid activities in 
developing countries, with a particular focus on sustainable economic development. Up to NZ$30m 
worth of commitments a re made each year towards partners hips between New Zealand 
organiz ations and local in -country partners delivering development activities. Two examples of 
activities selected for design and implementation under these funds that include key modes of 
technolo gy transfer  are: 
 developing a Pacific Risk Tool for Resilience with Vanuatu and Samoa to enable the 
gathering, analysis and application of existing and future disaster risk information in 
order to reduce the impact of future haz ard events and to protect so cioeconomic 
development; and  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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   providing training on the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technique for increasing 
rice production to farmers in Timor -Leste , in order to satisfy household food 
requirements and increase household incomes by producing surp lus amounts for sale to 
the government and local markets.  
3.2  New Zealand Scholarships  
29.  The New Zealand Aid Programme provides scholarships to citizens of targeted developing and 
least developed countries to undertake vocational training or tertiary level stud y in New Zealand or 
in the Pacific region. During 2015/16 approximately 1710 students from developing and least 
developed countries were studying in New Zealand on New Zealand Aid Programme funded 
scholarships, with funding totalling NZ$62.7m. A total of a pproximately NZ$16.7m was allocated 
for scholarships for students from WTO Member LDCs in 2015/16. An additional NZ$7m was 
allocated for scholarships for students from non -WTO member LDCs (Ethiopia, Kiribati, Timor 
Leste, and Tuvalu).  
30.  The scholarships enha nce the skills, training and 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.  
4  OTHER NEW ZEALAND PR OGRAMMES WITH A TECH NOLOGY TRANSFER COMP ONENT   
4.1  Intellectual Property  
31.  The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) provides on going technical 
assista nce, 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).   
32.  At a regional level, IPONZ participates in practical trainin g and information exchange 
opportunities. In November 2015, for example, an IPONZ representative presented at an ASEAN 
sub-regional training programme on trademarks held in the Philippines.  
33.  In May 2015, the New Zealand Plant Variety Rights Office (PVRO) pr ovided a DUS expert and 
guest lecturer at the Korea Overseas Investment and Cooperation Agency, Plant Variety Protection 
and DUS Training Course in Seoul, South Korea. The course participants came from eleven 
countries in East Asia, Africa and South and Ce ntral America.  
34.  IPONZ hosts study visits from other member countries and this year shared its experience and 
insight on Madrid Protocol accession to help two other intellectual property offices with their 
operational preparations. IPONZ hosted the Malaysia n Intellectual Property Office in August 2015 , 
as well as the Directorate General of Intellectual Property of Indonesia in November 2015.  
 
 
_______________  
  
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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The following chart presents some examples of activities undertaken by the New Zealand  Aid Programme.  It is not an exhaustive list of activities but 
rather serves to provide examples of the institutions and enterprises that transfer physical capital and goods, know -how, information, and data to 
LDCs. This chart has been developed to show c ertain criteria as requested by LDCs at the October  2011 Workshop on Article 66.2.  
 
 
1. NZAID BITLATERAL PROGRAMMES: Solomon Islands  
Title of project/programme  Solomon Islands Photovoltaic Power Generation  
 
Policy objective/purpose  To provide a 1 megawatt  grid-connected solar farm in Honiara  
Partner Government agencies and others eligible 
for tech nology  transfer  Solomon Power  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  United Arab Emirates  
Targeted LDC Members  Solomon Islands  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Infrastructure  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Renewable energy  
Type of technology transferred  Energy infrastructure  
Expected output related to technology  transfer  Supply of renewable ener gy into the Honiara grid  
Outcomes/ impact  Savings from reduced diesel costs; additional generation capacity to support demand 
growth; substitution of some diesel -generated power  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$3.5m  
Duration  2015/16  
Status  Recently completed  
Contact point for information  New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)  
 
                                                
1 In English only.   
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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Title of project/programme  Wind -solar renewable energy in Solomon Islands  
 
Policy objective/purpose  To develop a complete wind -solar hybrid energy system that is suitable for isolated 
communities and facilities  
Partner Government agencies and others eligible 
for technology  transfer  Solomon Islands Association of Rural and Vocational Training Centres  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  Caritas; Powerhouse Wind; Adakun Development Trust  
Targeted LDC Members  Solomon Islands  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Infrastructure; training  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Renewable energy  
Type of technology  transferred  Energy infrastructure  
Expected output related to technology  transfer  Installation of one turbine at one regi onal training centre benefit ing 170 students and 
staff 
Outcomes/ impact  Cost savings for regional training centres; potential income for regional training centres 
from marketing their new skills; scale -up opportunities  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$90k (for pilot)  
Duration  2016/17  
Status  Ongoing  
Contact point for information  New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and T rade (MFAT)  
  
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
- 9 - 2. NZAID BILATERAL PROGRAMMES: VANUATU  
Title of project/programme  Vanuatu Rural Electrification Project (VREP Phase I)  
 
Policy objective/purpose  To deliver affordable renewable energy to people in rural areas.  
Partner Government agencies an d others eligible 
for technology  transfer  Department of Energy, Ministry of Climate Change Meteorology and Energy.  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility, World Bank  
Targeted LDC Members  Vanuatu  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Subsidies, technical assistance  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Renewable energy  
Type of technology transferred  Low maintenance solar photovoltaic 'plug and play ' systems, tec hnical assistance to 
prepare Environmental Code of Practice and operations manuals  
Expected output related to technology  transfer  New solar 'plug and play ' systems for 17,500 households, 230 health posts and 2,000 
not-for profit community halls in rural a reas. 
Outcomes/ impact  Increased access to affordable renewable energy in rural areas.  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$6m 
Duration  2014-2020 
Status  Project on going  
Contact point for information  New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MF AT) 
 
  
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
- 10 - Title of project/programme  Vanuatu Water and Sanitation  
Policy objective/purpose  To improve the water and sanitation infrastructure in Vanuatu  
Partner Government agencies and others eligible 
for technology  transfer  Department of Geology, Mines and  Water  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  UNICEF  
Targeted LDC Members  Vanuatu  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Technical assistance and capability building  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activiti es Water and Sanitation, Information Management  
Type of technology transferred  Mobile data collection platform for water source mapping  
Expected output related to technology  transfer  Information management systems established to support prioritiz ation an d development 
of water and sanitation.  
Outcomes/ impact  Vanuatu 's water and sanitation strengthened through more effective information 
management systems and technical assistance  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$5m 
Duration  2013-2017 
Status  Project ongoing  
Contact point for information  New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)  
  
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
- 11 - 3. NZAID BILATERAL PROGRAMMES: Afghanistan  
Title of project/programme  Afghanistan   Renewable Energy Pr ogramme Capability Building and  
Technical Support Progra mme  
Policy objective/purpose  To promote opportunities for economic development in Bamyan province through the 
long-tern electrification of Bamyan Town.  
Partner Government agencies and others eligible 
for technology  transfer  Afghan government (district an d provincial), businesses, people living and working in 
Bamyan town.  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  New Zealand companies  
Targeted LDC Members  Afghanistan  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Infrastruct ure; capability building through technical assistance.  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Energy  
Type of technology transferred  Infrastructure; Capability building through technical assistance.  
Expected output related to technology  transf er Ongoing operation of the New  Zealand constructed 1MW system (4 modular PV systems) 
and distribution network through capability building of the local energy utility company 
responsible for operating, maintaining and managing the system.  
Outcomes/ impact  Increased commercial activity for businesses. Improved functioning of provincial and 
district government.  Improved quality of home life, including the benefits of lighting, 
modern communication and computer technology.  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$24.7m for REP and a further NZ$0.95m for REP CBP  
Duration  2011-2017 
Status  Project on going  
Contact point for information  New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)  
  
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
- 12 - 4. NZAID REGIONAL PROGRAMMES: Pacific  
Title of project/programme  Pacifi c Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC)  
Policy objective/purpose  Improved economic management leading to sustainable economic growth across the 
Pacific Islands  
Partner Government agencies and others eligible 
for technology  transfer  Government dep artments including Treasury, Revenue and Customs  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  PFTAC  
Targeted LDC Members  Pacific Regional (including Timor -Leste)  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Capacity building t hrough technical assistance and training.  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Public Financial Management  Revenue policy and administration Economic statistics  
Financial sector supervision   
Macro economic management  
Type of technology tran sferred  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.  
Expected output relat ed to technology  transfer  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.  
Outcomes/ impa ct 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.  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$12m  
Duration  2015/ 16–2019/20  
Status  Project on going  
Contact point for information  http://www.pftac.org/  
 
 
  
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Title of project/programme  PC Trade Programme  
Policy objective/purpose  Supporting production of trade statistics by PICs  
Partner Government agencies and others 
eligible for technology  transfer  Pacific Customs Departments and Pacific National Statistics Offices  
Enterprises or other institutions providing 
technology  transfer  Statistics New Zealand  
Targeted LDC Members  Tuvalu,  Kiribati  
Types of incentives measures for technology  
transfer  Capability building through technical assistance  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Production and utiliz ation of trade statistics  
Type of technology transferred  Trade statistics database, The provision of technica l assistance and capability building  
Expected output related to technology  transfer  Design and installation of New  Zealand -designed customs database and software replacement  
Technical assistance and training for helpdesk services  
Outcomes/ impact  Improve d quality and timeliness of trade statistics in Pacific will support better planning, 
decision -making, and evidence -based policy making. It will also provide a stronger evidence 
base to track effective aid and development results.  
Budget or funds allocate d (NZD$)  NZ$140k p.a.  
Duration  2004-2017 
Status  Project on going  
Contact point for information  International and Business Performance Statistics, Statistics New Zealand  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
- 14 - Title of project/programme  
 Recognized  Seasonal Employer Scheme Strengthening Pacific Partnerships  
Policy objective/purpose  Pacific states economic development improved by labour mobility initiatives and in -country 
horticulture enterprises  
Partner Government agencies and others eligible for 
technology  transfer  Government Departmen ts, community leaders and Pacific groups  
Enterprises or other institutions providing technology  
transfer  New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment  
Targeted LDC Members  Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu  
Types of incentives meas ures for technology  transfer  Capacity building through technical assistance and training.  
Field or sector of technology  transfer activities  Information management; processes; communication and marketing;  horticulture  
Type of technology transferred  The provision of training and technical advice in information management, processes, 
knowledge, communication and marketing.    In -country horticulture training planned.  
Expected output related to technology  transfer  Training, workshops and secondments to Ne w Zealand for Government representatives, 
community leaders and groups. The focus will be on information management, processes, 
knowledge, communication and marketing.  
Outcomes/ impact  Improvement in the management and coordination of labour mobility init iatives and improved 
horticulture skills and practices.  
Budget or funds allocated (NZD$)  NZ$6m in total for Pacific Island countries  
Duration  2011-2017 
Status  Project on going  
Contact point for information  For more information, see Annex 2  IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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  ANNEX 21 
 
1.2  Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (SPP)  
1.3  Overview  
13.  The goal of the Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (SPP) programme is to  increase economic 
benefits (incomes, skills and remittances) for Pacific Island Countries from labour mobility and 
improved capacity of Pacific Island Countries to administer labour mobility activities.  The Activity 
provided technical assistance to participating Pacific states under five focus areas:  
(a) SPP technical assistance for the Recognized  Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme – provide 
technical assistance to participating Pacific states ; 
(b) SPP technical assistance for wider labour export capability and skills development wit h 
input from other stakeholders;  
(c) improved regional cooperation around Pacific labour mobility by coordinating existing  
labour export and labour mobility activities at the regional level, share knowledge, address 
issues and reduce duplication relating to labour mobility ; 
(d) measure the economic benefits of RSE in the Pacific (specifically in relation to remittances) 
by linkin g available data provided by the RSE tax code with information on which channels 
RSE workers are using to remit funds, and how they are spending their money ; 
(e) facilitate opportuniti es for labour mobility in the New Zealand  Fisheries a nd Canterbury 
trades in dustries  
14.  The long -term outcome as listed in the Results Framework of the SPP Programme is Pacific 
States’ economic development assisted by labour mobility initiatives and in -country horticulture 
enterprises. This is to be achieved through:  
(a) sustained partic ipation by Pacific States in RSE ; 
(b) new business opportunities created from in -country horticulture skills and/or income from 
labour mobility initiatives; and  
(c) Pacific States’ increased capacity to manage labour mobility (in addition to RSE) . 
15.  The SPP Programm e supported the expansion of New Zealand’s labour mobility sectors , 
resulting from PACER Plus negotiations, into fisheries and construction. The aim of the new sectors 
was increased opportunities for overseas labour mobility for Pacific Island Countries (P ICs). The 
2015 extension into fisheries and construction had four key outputs:  
(a) the initiative matches PIC workers with employers ; 
(b) preparation support for workers and PIC agencies ; 
(c) support with settlement of workers , and 
(d) improve trades skills  
The Activity currently supports RSE workers from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Nauru, 
Kiribati, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.  
 
                                                
1 In English  only. IP/C/W/616/Add.6  
 
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  1.4  Evaluation of SPP  
16.  The New Zealand Aid Programme has  just completed an evaluation of the SPP Programme in 
anticipation of redesi gning it for Phase Two, another five -year implementation.  
17.  The evaluation of the SPP programme (2016) found that the programme had succeeded in 
strengthening country Labour Sending Unit capacity through the development and implementation 
of their tailored country -based action plans. The Ministry of Business , Innovation and Employment 
has built up strong relationships with their Pacific counterparts , which has contributed to the 
success of the programme. However, the programme could be improved through a uni ted results 
framework across all labour mobility sectors, possible expansion into reintegration support and a 
fit-for-purpose approach for each PIC.  
18.  The Activity will support  regional priorities to increase labour mobility in the Pacific, especially 
to facilitate the economic growth of PICs through increased capacity , as outlined in the New 
Zealand Aid Programme Strategic Plan 2015 -19.  
19.  For Phase Two, we would like to build on the success of Phase One , but also aim to: 
 revise the scope and objectives (incl uding looking at new sectors) ; 
 ensure necessary Pacific regional coverage ; 
 improve the monitoring and evaluation framework;  
 design an adaptive country -specific approach to support ; and 
 expand the pilot programmes  
1.5  Quick Facts:  
 The SPP Programme is implement ed by the Ministry of Busin ess Innovation and 
Employment (MBIE)  
 New Zealand Aid Programme has been funding the SPP programme for five  years 
(NZ$6million over five years)  
 The main role of the team at MBIE is to support Pacific Island states gain access to N ew 
Zealand labour mobility schemes by strengthening their capacity.   
 The Recognized  Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme has been running since 2007 to 
support horticulture and viticulture growers lift productivity for a global market. A new 
visa setting was de signed for the RSE scheme.  
 In support of New Zealand’s commitment to PACER Plus and Pacific Labour Mobility, two 
new Labour Mobility schemes are being piloted in Construction and Fisheries using 
existing visa settings.  
 The pilots will be reviewed in 2017 to assess how they will be expanded. Currently they 
only involve Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.  
 The S PP Programme has been evaluated and  will be redesigned , and the improved 
programme will be implemented from July 2017.  
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