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International Development Cooperation
In Budget 2025, additional funding was provided for the International Development Cooperation (IDC) multi-year appropriation, and a related uplift for Management of New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation.
Intended results
The increase in funding will provide assistance to developing countries, particularly in the Pacific, building on investments made across a range of sectors under the 2022-2025 climate finance commitment.
The Ministry delivers IDC funding, knowledge and skills to improve sustainable development and reduce poverty in developing countries, with a strong focus on the Pacific. Our humanitarian action saves lives and relieves suffering in natural disasters and protracted crises. New Zealand’s Policy Statement on International Cooperation for Effective Sustainable Development1, and the Ministry’s strategic framework provide an overarching strategic direction for the IDC – including how we allocate and deliver funding, work with partners, and achieve outcomes. We seek effective, inclusive, resilient, and sustained outcomes, and work in line with international development effectiveness principles.
Deliverables and Planned Timeline
The additional IDC funding provided in Budget 2025 has been baselined into the Ministry’s broader IDC programme.
MFAT organises the funding into six allocation groups, and within this into a set of Plans for our bilateral, regional, multilateral and humanitarian delivery.
Allocations for each Plan are managed over a three-year period. Over this period, there is flexibility to move funds into and between Plans in order to respond changes in context.
A table setting out the approved funding for the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027 by Group allocation is available here.
Funding allocation ($millions)
| 2025/26 ($m) | 2026/27 ($m) | 2027/27 ($m) | 2028/29 ($m) | Four year total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDC | 50.000 | 100.000 | 100.000 | 100.000 | |
| Mgmt of IDC | 2.500 | 5.000 | 5.000 | 5.000 | |
| Total | 52.500 | 105.000 | 105.000 | 105.000 | 367.500 |
Indicators of Performance and value for money
Performance indicators(external link) are the same as those used to measure performance across the whole of the IDC Programme (and associated departmental funding).
Location and updating of data
Performance reporting against result indicators, and additional qualitative data, for all funding under the IDC appropriation is provided in the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ report on the International Development Cooperation non-departmental appropriation within Vote Foreign Affairs that is available here, and in the Ministry’s Annual Report.
Doubling Exports and Asia Uplift
Leveraging Trade Agreements, Addressing Barriers, and Lifting Engagement in Asia
| Intended results | Deliverables and Planned Timeline | Indicators of Performance and value for money | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doubling exports | This initiative will strengthen New Zealand exporters’ access to offshore markets better positioning them to compete globally. This will help drive economic growth at home and across the region. To this end, the funding will equip government agencies with enhanced capability and resources. These improvements will support agencies to:
|
An organisational structure will be scoped and implemented during 2025/26 with specialists dedicated to focus on FTA Leveraging, Implementation and NTB resolution. These specialists will be supported by new funding that can be applied to activity related to FTA Leveraging, Implementation and NTB resolution. Activities may be delivered by MFAT or other New Zealand public service agencies and could include:
|
Export coverage of FTA rates increase:
Number of accessions under way for trade agreements and trade plurilateral agreements:
|
| Asia Uplift | This initiative aims to secure a stable and prosperous future for New Zealanders by deepening our partnerships across South and Southeast Asia, including with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Strengthening these relationships will:
|
New Zealand’s presence and engagement in South and Southeast Asia will be strengthened through additional resourcing. New dedicated positions focused on South and Southeast Asia – including through engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – will enhance New Zealand’s access, visibility, and influence across the region. To support this effort, two new contestable funding streams will be established in 2025/26: one focused on India and the other on Southeast Asia. These funds will be available to MFAT and other New Zealand public sector agencies to support cooperation initiatives and programmes developed in partnership with priority countries, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. In October ASEAN and New Zealand will hold a Leaders Summit to formally commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dialogue Relations, at which Leaders’ will adopt a Joint Vision Statement that will set the direction for the future of the partnership across the pillars of Peace, Prosperity, People, Planet and Cross-Pillar cooperation including a number of ‘ASEAN-New Zealand flagship initiatives’. Additionally, a new ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2026-2030) will be established which will guide the practical implementation of initiatives to support the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Vision Statement. |
Number of diplomatic dialogues held with India, Southeast Asia, and ASEAN at the Leader, Ministerial and MFAT’s senior officials’ level:
|
Funding allocation
| 2025/26 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | 2028/29 | Four year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20.937 | 20.937 | 20.938 | 20.938 | 83.750 |
Location and updating of data
Data will be updated at a minimum of twice a year and will be available on this webpage.