New Zealand

Oxfam report says New Zealand’s aid not going where it is needed most

August 11, 2020

The New Zealand government’s aid in developing countries is not going to projects where it is needed most, says Oxfam, according to a new report published by agency today.

Less than two percent of aid spending went to activities focused solely on climate adaptation, according to the latest data in the report, and almost half have no gender equality component, despite a long-standing commitment from the government to mainstream gender across its aid programme.

With the global pandemic threatening to put progress against poverty back by decades, the report says now more than ever New Zealand needs to expand its aid budget. Aid remains a crucial tool for governments to use to make sure everyone, everywhere has their fundamental needs met for safety, good health and economic security.

The report, called Collective Resilience: New Zealand’s aid contribution in times of inequality and crises, is the first external review of New Zealand’s aid programme in over two decades.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Communications and Advocacy Director and co-author of the report, Dr Joanna Spratt, said: “While New Zealand’s aid contribution has some firm foundations, there is room for substantial improvement, including in climate action, gender justice and addressing inequality. Aid has a critical role to play in fighting both inequality and poverty, as the world faces looming challenges due to a pandemic, global recession, and climate destruction.

“We are yet to witness the full impact of the coronavirus in developing countries across the world. What is certain is that the spread of the virus will be catastrophic for people already living in poverty. Meanwhile, climate breakdown remains a significant challenge to ensuring all people, everywhere, can survive and thrive.”

Collective Resilience outlines six principles for improving both the quality and quantity of New Zealand’s aid, along with a suite of recommendations, for example, expanding its focus on climate action. Currently, despite New Zealand’s focus on giving aid to the Pacific region where climate breakdown has been declared the region’s greatest threat, we rank just 18 out of 29 OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) peers for aid contributions to climate adaptation.

Spratt said: “In a world where humanity is more connected than ever before – a fact the coronavirus pandemic starkly shows – aid is a crucial area of government expenditure to invest in the wellbeing of all people. Together we can navigate a path forward that puts people and planet first, and New Zealand’s overseas aid has an important role to play in forging this path.”

For further information and interviews please contact:

Kelsey-Rae Taylor | Kelsey-Rae.Taylor@oxfam.org.nz | +64 21 298 9854

Collective Resilience NZ’s Aid Contributions In Times of Inequality & Crises

August 10, 2020

This report examines New Zealand’s overseas aid contributions against six principles of a quality aid programme that reduces inequality and poverty. The report finds that while New Zealand’s aid contribution has some firm foundations, there is room for substantial improvement. Sixteen recommendations outline steps that will contribute to building a New Zealand Aid Programme that helps achieve collective resilience for all of humanity.

Now is a good time to assess how well the New Zealand government’s overseas development assistance (ODA), or aid, is responding to international development challenges across the world.

Click here to read the full report.

5 reasons why people are doing Oxfam Trailwalker

July 30, 2020

Since our launch last month, we have seen an incredible response with people stepping up to take on the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge. Already more than HALF of participant spots are filled and we want to make sure you don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Don’t miss out!

During the past month, we’ve been on the phones answering your questions as well as chatting to people about the event. We’ve heard so many great reasons why people are getting involved and want to share them with you…

1. Explore New Zealand’s finest: For the first time in its history, Oxfam Trailwalker will take place in the stunning Taranaki region. It’s an opportunity after the lockdown period to get out, support domestic tourism and experience a brand-new trail – exclusive only to Oxfam Trailwalker participants.

2. Tick it off your bucket list: You probably know someone who’s taken on the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge – and had the blisters to prove it! Oxfam Trailwalker might have been on your bucket list for some time and this is your year to conquer it. There’s no time like the present!

3. A physical challenge we’re up for: People from all fitness levels are stepping up to take on the trail. Whether it’s to get fitter, push yourself out of your comfort zone, or be a great role model for your children, Oxfam Trailwalker is sure to push you to your limits for an incredibly rewarding experience.

4. Bond with friends and colleagues: It’s a great excuse to round up your mates, get active and make memories with those you are closest with. Past participants have told us it’s a memory they reflect back on often and something their friend group will cherish for a lifetime.

5. Do your bit to help make the world a better place: With the world in its current state, we all should pitch in and lend a helping hand. When you participate in Oxfam Trailwalker, you’ll give families living in poverty access to basic water and sanitation while providing a safe environment for them to thrive.

Start your adventure today!

Don’t forget – early bird pricing ends 31 August so take advantage of the discounted rates while you can!

We are here to help you smash your goals and would love to hear from you. Do give us a call on 0800 600 700 or email us at info@oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz if you have any questions.

Oxfam Trailwalker announces new location for 100km charity walk in Taranaki

June 2, 2020

Oxfam has announced it will be moving its flagship fundraising event Oxfam Trailwalker to Taranaki, with the charity walk due to make its debut in the stunning New Plymouth region on March 20-21, 2021.

Throwing their weight behind Oxfam Trailwalker 2021 are some well-known figures including television personality Art Green, broadcaster Sacha McNeil, comedian Te Radar and mayor of Taranaki Neil Holdom, who have all lent their voices to encourage Kiwis to sign up for the challenge of their lives and stay active and connected with others while doing it.

Around a thousand Kiwis are expected to take part in New Zealand’s largest team endurance event, which sees teams of four tackle either 100 kilometres in 36 hours or 50 kilometres in 18 hours to raise vital funds for Oxfam’s work fighting injustice and poverty. Oxfam Trailwalker is aimed at people aged 18-80 at all fitness levels, with everyone from trail-walking novices to pro-athletes taking part each year. It is not a relay – the challenge is for the teams of four to start and finish together.

The event typically raises almost a million dollars each year to support projects in the Pacific and around the world. Now this will include providing life-saving support to those hit doubly hard by poverty and the coronavirus pandemic. The charity made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the fifth and final event in Whakatāne this year for the safety of participants and communities.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said: “We are excited to be looking forward to our first year in the stunning Taranaki region, with its picturesque mounga, beautiful beaches and exquisite bush. What better backdrop for a life-changing, foot-slogging, team-bonding journey that not only will inspire you, but make a difference to people challenging injustice and poverty during a global pandemic.

“We invite the fitness buffs, the nature lovers walking for their mental health, the friends of all ages looking for a new adventure together – whatever your reason for walking, join us and walk tor a better world, for now and for our future generations. It is a great opportunity to lift your hopes and plans out of lockdown mode and start walking across our gorgeous whenua for a cause that reminds us that compassion knows no borders.

“As we all grapple with the effects of the pandemic on our families, communities here in Aotearoa and those we love overseas, it’s hard to imagine what life must be like for people in refugee camps or poor communities with limited healthcare and clean water and no chance of social distancing. You’ll be making a difference for people when it really counts.”

“We look forward to making this one of the best Oxfam Trailwalker events yet, together with the wonderful Taranaki hosts, the council, tangata whenua and local communities.”

Mayor of New Plymouth Neil Holdom said the event was an exciting boost to the region. “We’re absolutely thrilled to host the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge for the next three years,” he said. “It’s another major event in our beautiful region as we continue to build a lifestyle capital and it will be a superb showcase for our wonderful corner of Aotearoa. It’s perfect timing too as it will bring hundreds of much-needed visitors to our region as we all work to get back on our feet as the economic shock of Covid-19 bites.”

CEO of Venture Taranaki, Justine Gilliland said: “From mounga to moana, Taranaki has so much to offer. Oxfam Trailwalker will bring a significant boost to the Taranaki economy, providing many opportunities for local enterprises to capitalise on the influx of event participants, as well as their support crews. We look forward to welcoming you, and the entire Oxfam whānau to Taranaki next year – nau mai, haere mai!”

Registrations are now open for Oxfam Trailwalker 2021, which is due to be held over March 20-21 2021 for the very first time in the award-winning Taranaki region. Step up to this incredible team challenge and take advantage of the limited time launch entry price by registering at www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz.

Oxfam accelerates new strategic changes to its global operations

May 21, 2020

Aims to maximise impact, shift power south and adapt to financial impact of coronavirus

Oxfam today announced that it is bringing forward a reorganisation of its global operations, and implementing a new strategic framework to adapt to the continuing financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The international organisation began its ten-year strategic review in late 2018, determined to build a more diverse global footprint better suited to a rapidly changing world. The changes will enable Oxfam globally to be more effective in working with partners and communities to tackle poverty and inequality and help people to survive humanitarian crises. Oxfam around the world will be shifting more decision-making power to developing countries’ local leaders and re-orientating teams to work in ways that are more tailored to specific local contexts.

Oxfam International currently operates in 66 countries and 20 affiliates. It will retain its physical presence in 48 countries, six of which it will explore as new independent affiliate members. It plans to increase resources to some of these programs and refocus how each works, according to the specific needs of local people. It will phase out 18 of its country-based offices. Globally, the changes in total will affect around 1450 out of nearly 5000 program staff and 700 out of nearly 1900 partner organisations. Oxfam will honour its existing commitments to its partners and donors.

Oxfam International Interim Executive Director Chema Vera said: “Looking strategically at where and how we operate is the essential first step in ensuring that Oxfam can continue to make the best possible contribution to fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice, and to influence for change as effectively as possible. We’ve been planning this for some time but we are now accelerating key decisions in light of the effects of the global pandemic.”

Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said: Each Oxfam operates independently, nevertheless it is hard to see tough changes faced by some other Oxfams and their local partners. For Oxfam New Zealand, we have already moved towards more Pacific-led programmes and partnerships and we have together agreed we will reduce the size of Oxfam staff in each Pacific country. As with many New Zealand charities and businesses, we have implemented contingency plans including staff hours and salary reductions and wider cuts to some activities to support cost-saving measures. The priority remains that we continue to have a real impact on injustice and poverty through our humanitarian, program and influencing work.

“Our staff, partners, board and supporters are with us and will help see us through this challenging time for New Zealand and the world. We are determined that Oxfam will emerge stronger and better prepared for the world that emerges as we believe our support for those challenging injustice will be needed even more.”

Like many charities, organisations and business, Oxfam’s global finances have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Many Oxfam affiliates have been hit by shop closures and cancelled fund-raising events. For Oxfam New Zealand, a number of key fundraising activities have either had to be cancelled, such as the much-loved Oxfam Trailwalker event, or stopped such as the face-to-face fundraising teams. On a positive note, some of these fundraising activities have now resumed, such as the online Oxfam Shop which re-opened when New Zealand moved to Alert Level 3.

Oxfam International Interim Executive Director Chema Vera said: “In some countries, Oxfam will have a deeper footprint as we focus our program resources and strengthen our local partnerships to maximise impact. In others we will focus more strongly on our humanitarian or influencing goals.”

Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said: “The impact of the pandemic is made even more potent by the systemic and structural injustices of poverty and inequality. The work of protecting and promoting strong global civil society is more critical now than ever. This fight is the very focus of our mission. We remain enormously grateful to our donors and supporters whose continuing generosity is helping us meet this unprecedented challenge.”

NOTES:

Oxfam is a confederation of 20 independent “affiliate” members, each with its own Board and governance structure.
The Oxfam confederation currently runs 66 country program teams. Under this restructure, it intends to explore new affiliate members in six countries: Indonesia, Philippines, Colombia, Senegal, Kenya and the Pacific* (an amalgamation including of five current country teams). Including these six, it will retain its presence in 48 countries with refocused operational strategies. It will phase out and exit its programs over time in 18 countries: Thailand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Paraguay, Egypt, Tanzania, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Benin, Liberia and Mauritania.

New Zealand’s Oxfam Trailwalker 2020 cancelled

March 16, 2020

Statement from Oxfam New Zealand executive director, Rachael Le Mesurier:

“It is with great regret that Oxfam New Zealand announces the difficult but necessary decision of cancelling Oxfam Trailwalker 2020, due to be held in Whakatāne this weekend, March 21-22.

“The safety and welfare of all Oxfam Trailwalker participants, supporters, volunteers and community members is paramount. We have been assessing the risks and have been informed at every stage of our event planning by government and health authority instructions on the issue of COVID-19 containment.

“It takes a great commitment of time and energy by walkers, and their supporters, to prepare for this event. For the event to be cancelled four days out is hugely disappointing for all involved – especially so for walkers and their supporters – as well as the volunteers, Whakatāne community groups and the Oxfam team who have all given so much of their time already.

“Oxfam New Zealand thanks all potential participants for their valued contribution to Oxfam Trailwalker, and the impressive achievements made so far in training and fundraising. We are thinking of them as they have to cancel their trips, their accommodation and most of all, their hopes and aspirations in getting over that line together.

“Likewise, we feel deeply for the community of Whakatāne who will be hard hit by this fresh challenge and who we were looking forward to working alongside in what was to be our fifth and final year in the region. At every stage, for 2020 and over the last 5 years, the full Whakatane community have been absolutely wonderful partners for Oxfam. Warm, generous with real commitment to both Trailwalker and the change in the world we all want to see”.

“Dealing with the challenge posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic is one that we must all face as a community cooperating together.”

Oxfam Trailwalker is the ultimate team endurance challenge – each team of four tackles either 100 kilometres in 36 hours, or 50 kilometres in 18 hours, to raise money for Oxfam’s fight against poverty. It is not a relay – the teams of four start and finish together.

While the event 2020 is not going ahead, the money raised to date is still needed and will be used to continue Oxfam’s committed and vital work into 2020, providing much-needed funds in ongoing humanitarian relief, including preparation for the spread of this pandemic to the Pacific, as well as finding lasting solutions to the challenges of climate crisis, poverty and injustice in the Pacific and beyond.

Oxfam has been very involved in humanitarian responses to epidemics (such as the Ebola crisis) and other communicable health risks around the world. Our WASH programmes have at their heart the need to prevent transmission through clean water and good health and sanitation. As a world leader in this area we appreciate the measures that are necessary to protect our community.

Notes for editors:

Oxfam Trailwalker was to be held this weekend – March 21-22, 2020 – in scenic Whakatāne. Teams of four walk 50 kilometres in 18 hours or 100 kilometres in 36 hours to raise money for Oxfam’s work fighting poverty in the Pacific and all over the world. You can still contribute to this challenge by supporting and donating to your favourite team at www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz

The event was held in the Bay of Plenty region for the fourth time in 2019. A hundred kilometres of trail through Whakatāne, Ōhope and Edgecumbe sees participants walking along coastal tracks, sandy beaches, farmland and native bush. It was the first major event to be held in Edgecumbe since the floods in 2017. The top fundraising team for 2019 was team ‘N X NW’ who raised over $15,000. In total, participants raised more than $995,000 towards Oxfam’s work to support communities living in poverty in 2019.

Oxfam Trailwalker is part of an international series of 17 events held worldwide in 10 countries. Over the years, the event has raised hundreds of millions of dollars internationally for Oxfam’s life-saving work.

The event debuted in New Zealand in 2006 and was held in Taupō for 10 years. The event moved to Whakatāne in 2016 – the same year a 50-kilometre trail was introduced as an alternative to the traditional 100-kilometre trail.

Set up by the legendary elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment in 1981 as a military exercise to test teamwork, endurance and determination, Oxfam Trailwalker is the ultimate physical and mental challenge. It began in 2006 in New Zealand. Since then over 13,000 participants have lined up at the start line and raised more than $11 million.