Abstract:
Countries in the Pacific region are particularly susceptible to an array of natural hazards such as flooding, tropical cyclones and storms. These natural hazards, when combined with underlying vulnerabilities, can have a devastating impact on both the people and their environment, resulting in a disaster. Following a disaster, in order to recover, often assistance is required and in some cases this help and support comes in the form of international aid. The New Zealand government often provides disaster assistance to countries in the Pacific region. Alongside them, New Zealand nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) also offer their assistance, acting to supplement local or regional government social services to help communities to recover. An analysis of existing literature shows that there is limited literature in regards to New Zealand’s aid and this is a reflection of the relatively small role New Zealand plays within the global aid system. The aim of this research is to explore what shapes New Zealand NGOs disaster assistance to the Pacific Region. This research involved a literature review of published materials and an analysis of government and NGO websites, reports and publications and semi-structured interviews. The findings highlighted seven different factors that shaped the New Zealand NGO’s disaster assistance and these are need and capacity, NGO relationships with local partners, funding, evaluation and monitoring, cultural awareness, and power and politics. Keywords: disasters, disaster recovery, disaster assistance, New Zealand nongovernment organisations (NGOs), Pacific Region.