Key announces aid boost for Tonga... WTF?

[mynameis]

Yep

In the 50's, 60's and 70's we gave them Ponsonby.

Since then we have taken that back and given them Otara and Otahuhu instead.

LOl...they are on the Shore now as well !!

Anyways besides that, I am talking about ordinary Kiwi's stake into these countries, in terms of investment. Runs into the millions obviously.

Given their biggest income earners is tourism and a lot of hotels/resorts ect are owned by Kiwis and Auzzies.

[mynameis]

Ok I said that wrong. I mean, say China gets more influence in the Islands. So how does that take over NZ?

Not what Robert said in his initial post, it doesn't take over NZ but makes things a lot difficult for Kiwi's who have invested in these countries.

Makes more sense for NZ and Auz government to have more influence on these countries then China. Hence once of the reasons why Auz and NZ are so involved in Island Nations.

[Drogen Omen]

Australia gave A$19.3 million in 08-09.

Australian population 21 million.

if they only gave that much the why the FUCK are we matching their donation??? we are a quarter in population size to Australia...

"John Key what the FUCK are you doing..."

[twistemotion]

While we're on the topic...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...in-aid-dispute

[Winston001]

Exactly. NZ and OZ have to keep China from taking control of the island nations, and unfortunately it means giving substantial aid. China is ready and very willing to give "aid" anywhere to get a foothold. It's happening in Africa where they're building roads and other infrastructure at their cost and then shipping natural resources away.

Agreed. The influence is subtle but real. With "friendship" comes preferential fishing rights, airfields, military bases, food production.......Nothing hard and in your face, just a quiet longterm building up of reliance and control.

In Africa, China and other nations are buying/leasing large tracts of land to produce food for their home populations. All perfectly lawful although local politicians palms might be greased.

However this strategy is fraught with risk. African states don't have a great record of honouring contracts with outsiders. Famine and revolution are quite likely to rip away these investments.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Niue premier impatient waiting for NZ aid


The premier of Niue has told Prime Minister John Key he will turn to other countries for financial assistance, if New Zealand doesn't soon release aid money.
Toke Talagi said today his country needed aid urgently to develop the economy by spending in areas such as tourism.
While extra money had been tagged for Niue on top of New Zealand's annual aid commitments, Mr Key said on TV One News that the Government wanted a brief on how the money would be spent before it was released.
"I don't think that's an unreasonable request from the taxpayers of New Zealand to know that their hard earned tax dollars are actually making a difference in the areas where we give aid," he said.
Mr Talagi said all the money received from New Zealand was accountable annually.
He didn't accept suggestions otherwise and indicated he was growing impatient.
"I cannot continue to spend five years waiting on funds that are needed now to spend on tourism -- can't do that," he said.
Mr Key was on the third day of a four-day Pacific trip.

then you get them put there hand out saying hurry up...

[Dave Lobster]

African states don't have a great record of honouring contracts with outsiders. Famine and revolution are quite likely to rip away these investments.

They do have a habit of killing each other with sticks/spears/machine guns.

Saves the chinese from doing it for them.

[mynameis]

Did you see Nuiean PM put pressure on John Key and make demands. Silly prick.

[Mr Merde]

Did you see Nuiean PM put pressure on John Key and make demands. Silly prick.

Yep, 4 million dollars a year with a request to raise it to 16 million dollars. For 1600 people, and out of our tax dollars.

Let them go to China and make demands on the Bejing government.

[want-a-harley]

if they only gave that much the why the FUCK are we matching their donation??? we are a quarter in population size to Australia...

"John Key what the FUCK are you doing..."

NZAID's main area of focus are the Pacific Island countries.

AUS AID is currently operating programs in five separate regions: Papua New Guinea, South Asia, East Asia , the Pacific and the Middle East

I imagine that's why our contributions to the Pacific are quite close.

[Drogen Omen]

While we're on the topic...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...in-aid-dispute

Niue...? what the fuck are they going to do for us...

population = 1600

wonder where the $$$ is going to go... oh wait looked like the Niue Primier was wearing some pretty expensive shit... didn't see his car but im guessing it was a $150,000 black Merc with tinted windows...

maybe he needs the money to through sex parties like the Italian president/priminister... whatever...

[twistemotion]

wonder where the $$$ is going to go...

Lamb flaps maybe... and then the cost of treatment for diabetes and associated disorders.

[Mr Merde]

Niue...? what the fuck are they going to do for us...

population = 1600

wonder where the $$$ is going to go... oh wait looked like the Niue Primier was wearing some pretty expensive shit... didn't see his car but im guessing it was a $150,000 black Merc with tinted windows...

maybe he needs the money to through sex parties like the Italian president/priminister... whatever...

It's only $10,000 per person.

We wont miss it being deducted from our wages in the form of another tax.

I could do with another $10,000 a year.

[Robert Taylor]

Agreed. The influence is subtle but real. With "friendship" comes preferential fishing rights, airfields, military bases, food production.......Nothing hard and in your face, just a quiet longterm building up of reliance and control.

In for Africa, China and other nations are buying/leasing large tracts of land to produce fod for their home populations. All perfectly lawful although local politicians palms might be greased.

However this strategy is fraught with risk. African states don't have a great record of honouring contracts with outsiders. Famine and revolution are quite likely to rip away these investments.

EXACTLY. Its also noticable that the armed forces are not a political football in Australia. Even though I pathologically dislike all Labour Governments I will give Kevin Rudd his due in expanding the Aussie armed forces to have some anglo saxon influence over the region. And Im not for one moment apologising for saying it in that way!
Meanwhile here in NZ our armed forces are a disgrace and incapable of confronting any future threat to our economic zone.