Adequately designed and implemented public policies have the power to transform economies and improve the quality of life of citizens, writes Sandra Naranjo Bautista.

Violence against children is at endemic levels across Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste. Millions of children experience exceptionally high levels of physical, emotional and sexual violence, as well as neglect.

The graduation of Kiribati from Least Developed Country (LDC) status is currently under review. Kiribati has met the formal criteria for graduation, and if this occurs, the Micronesian nation would lose access to the International Support Measures (ISMs) that LDCs are entitled to, including market...

With 110,136 people spread across 33 atolls and 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean, Kiribati faces significant economic and service delivery challenges. In addition to being one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, and one most affected by climate change, other challenges stem...

Based largely on the experiences of African countries, the least developed country (LDC) category was created as a recognition that certain countries face particularly serious obstacles to achieving the structural transformation needed to advance economically and socially. Most non-LDC developing countries (the great majority) still...

After more than 10 years of established seasonal work schemes in Australia and New Zealand, this report focuses on seasonal labour mobility in the context of a policy assessment framework that addresses both wins and losses when considering a sustainable future for labour mobility in...

This report puts forward a small number of renewable energy initiatives that have the potential to improve sustainable development and resilience in both countries and strengthen the robustness of their electricity sectors.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Advocacy and Campaigns Director, Joanna Spratt, finds there is scarce literature on palliative care in Pacific island countries and territories, but the documented disease profile shows a need for expanded palliative care as well as more funding; leadership; support training, coaching and...

This report examines migration opportunities, projects future migration numbers from three Pacific microstates, and reports on fiscal and economic impacts and the likely impact of a hypothetical one-off environmental disaster on migration options.

Two prominent New Zealand academics have recently returned from discussing labour mobility policies and long term sustainable development plans in Tarawa, Kiribati.

This report summarises the research that has been undertaken on Sovereign Funds in the Pacific and draws out key findings, lessons and opportunities for funds to move closer to “best practice”.

Third in a series of papers on the role of Sovereign Funds (SFs) in the Pacific Islands, this report suggests a 'reference portfolio' approach as a benchmark governance choice for Pacific Island funds

This article examines how policy changes could improve outcomes for Kiribati migrants to New Zealand.

Sovereign Funds (SFs) are often the largest single asset owner and investor in the Pacific Islands, and the income stream from these funds can also be a large part of fiscal revenues.

Five years on from the adoption of ‘A Public Financial Management Roadmap for Forum Island Countries’, a roadmap for Public Financial Management (PFM) reform in Forum Island Countries, this report examines experiences of PFM reform in two Pacific island countries in order to inform future...

The Pacific is home to some of the countries most at risk from the effects of climate change. It is now also home to countries that are leading the world in reducing their fossil fuel consumption and shifting to renewable sources of electricity generation.

Type II diabetes is one of the major public health issues among low income countries affecting the adult population. In Kiribati there are an increasing number of diabetic cases; most of these cases have undergone surgery, predominantly amputations, reducing people’s quality of life. Workers in...

This paper presents results from a systematic review of 68 studies that examined the link between participation in large-scale assessment programs of students’ learning and education policy in 32 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The objectives of DAC peer reviews are to improve the quality and effectiveness of development co-operation policies and systems, and to promote good development partnerships for better impact on poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries.

The report presents the findings of an independent evaluation of New Zealand’s support for the Kiribati Marine Training Centre (MTC) from 2010 to 2014. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide information to assist MFAT to review its engagement with the MTC, and plan...

There is an increasing concern over solid waste disposal on the islands of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean. This is especially true on South Tarawa, which is the urban centre of Kiribati (Carden, 2003). The trend over the last few decades (see Figure 1) has...

Access to electricity is one of the tangible approaches to improving the social and economic level of citizens the world over. Elevating living standards through electricity access for rural areas in developing countries encounters, however, a severe fiscal barrier as developing countries, do not often...

Kiribati is a country facing numerous economic, social, demographic and environmental challenges. It is a country with limited natural resources. Infertile soils, severely restricted land and water resources coupled with limited economic prospects renders Kiribati a developing nation. Kiribati’s population are geographically spread across 32...

Low-lying atoll countries are currently amongst the first nations to experience the effects of climate change, such as drought, loss of fresh water, rising sea-levels, coral bleaching and stronger storms. The environmental condition in low-lying Pacific countries such as the Republic of Kiribati is affecting...

This report presents the findings of a review of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) worker pilot training programme. The purpose of the review was to assess whether the pilot had achieved the intended outcomes and, if it had (at least in part), identify if any...