In the wake of civil conflict, Papua New Guinea (PNG) was faced with significant poverty and injustice. To help address this, Oxfam New Zealand (ONZ) committed to work in partnership with Community Based Organisations (CBO), establishing the Oxfam Highlands Programme (OHP) in 2003. This programme aimed to promote: inclusive, equitable, gender sensitive development; improved security; and the fulfilment of human rights in the highlands of PNG. In 2007, the New Zealand Aid Programme contributed funding to the OHP programme. OHP supports four local NGO’s through the provision of funding; technical and management support, through facilitating training; and linkages with other national and regional NGOs.

A collective review of OHP was undertaken by ONZ and the New Zealand Aid Programme. This review assessed the: 

Relevance of OHP’s programme design to the needs of partner organisations, stakeholders, and the Highlands people 

Effectiveness of the programme in achieving its objectives 

Efficiency of funding, OHP systems and management procedures 

Impact the monitoring, evaluation and learning system (MEL) had in assisting partner organisations to evaluate and improve their own work 

Risks to the sustainability of the programme with mounting pressure to expand.