Choice between aid and local services false: Caritas CEO

In an opinion piece, Mena Antonio noted that some are arguing ahead of the upcoming election that the country must choose between helping overseas and the provision of services at home.

“But that is a false choice. New Zealand can invest in both,” Ms Antonio said.

“We can ensure New Zealanders have access to the healthcare, education and services they need while continuing to assist communities facing poverty, conflict, disaster and the escalating impacts of climate change.”

Ms Antonio noted that New Zealand ‘s international aid outlay is about $1.2 billion each year, but this is a relatively small percentage of public spending and is well below the amount this country has committed to spend on aid.

“In 2025, our Official Development Assistance represented around 0.27 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI). . . . This is approximately a third of the long-standing UN target of spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on aid, to which New Zealand has committed but never achieved.”

Ms Antonio gave examples of the significant impacts that overseas aid can generate for communities receiving assistance. But cutting aid can have devastating consequences. Ms Antonio referenced a study that concluded such cuts could contribute to more than 14 million additional deaths globally by 2030, including 4.5 million children under five. 

“Aid is not simply money leaving the country. It is an investment in the kind of region, and the kind of world, we want to live in,” she said.

“This debate is not about abstract figures in next year’s national budget. It is about families recovering after disasters, farmers adapting to changing weather patterns, children gaining access to education and communities finding hope amid conflict and poverty.” 

Ms Antonio argued that development assistance also serves New Zealand’s long-term interests, assisting with regional stability and promoting international good will.

“Aotearoa is strong enough, compassionate enough and prosperous enough to care for vulnerable people overseas while also investing in the wellbeing of people at home.”

FULL STORY

OPINION: This election, we can both love our neighbours and care for ourselves (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)