Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs
14 March 2006
Media Release
Tongan education will benefit from NZ assistance
The significant support that New Zealand is providing to education in Tonga will have far-reaching results and provide
the platform for a promising future for young Tongans, said Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
“New Zealand, through NZAID, is working in partnership with the Government of Tonga and the World Bank on a $14 million
programme to improve the quality and accessibility of basic education in Tonga.
“In a country where lack of opportunity is a real issue, it is impossible to overestimate the value of quality
education. Our assistance will help ensure that every child, regardless of family background or circumstances, will
attend well-resourced schools," said Mr Peters.
“Today I visited a primary school which will directly benefit from New Zealand’s assistance.
“The results of this support will be a good education environment with better resourced classrooms and well-trained and
motivated staff who can help students make the most of their school years.
“New Zealand is the leading donor in the education sector in Tonga. This is an important role and means that New Zealand
can be actively involved in the development of young people in Tonga.
“NZAID has committed to the education sector in Tonga in a very significant way. It is especially pleasing that the
Tongan Government did not need to take out a large loan to support this project.
“As this project develops over the coming years it should provide a model which other Pacific Island countries can
follow to achieve better education outcomes for their people,” Mr Peters said.
New Zealand has a $10 million annual aid programme with Tonga. Priority areas for support are economic and public sector
reform, outer island development, education and health.
ENDS