An academic group that analyses New Zealand's aid and development work says the government's new emphasis on 'sustainable development' is encouraging - on paper.
The government's International Cooperation for Effective Sustainable Development policy was released late last year.
Development Policy Centre researcher Terence Wood, who is part of the New Zealand Aid and Development Dialogues group, has read the new policy.
He says on paper it promises a dramatic departure from the previous government's focus on delivering aid and economic development where it saw potential for future benefits to New Zealand.
Development Policy Centre researcher Terence Wood. Photo: ANU
