The New Zealand Aid Programme is the New Zealand Government’s aid and development programme managed by development specialists in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
It is charged with supporting sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world – a mandate that links closely with that of successful sport for development programme Just Play.
OFC President David Chung says this partnership is the fruit of groundwork which has been laid by the OFC Social Responsibility department since Just Play’s inception in 2009.
“Just Play has been addressing the growing obesity epidemic by engaging children around the Pacific region in physical activity, while also addressing several other social issues including social inclusion and gender equality,” Chung says.
“These issues affect most communities in Oceania and we are excited to have the New Zealand Government on board to help us raise awareness and create a better future for our children.”
Phase 1 was the establishment and implementation of the Just Play Programme in Tonga in 2009 with the support of the Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, UEFA and the Football Federation of Australia. Just Play was extended to nine further Pacific Island countries between 2009 and 2013.
The New Zealand Aid Programme’s alignment with Just Play coincides with the launch of Phase 2 and OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations Franck Castillo says it’s an important partnership for Just Play going forward.
“The project is funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme’s Patnerships for International Development Fund. Applying to this fund is a very competitive process and when we submitted our project in September 2014 we were up against dozens of other applicants,” Castillo says.
“That Just Play was one of the projects chosen from this group is testament to the quality of the programme.
“With the support of NZ Aid, along with our existing partnerships with the Australian Government Aid Programme, UEFA, FFA and UNICEF, we believe we can make further inroads towards healthy lifestyles, gender equality, social inclusion and education throughout our Pacific communities.”
Phase 2 of the Just Play Programme has seen the new curriculum developed and launched with the expertise of another programme partner, UNICEF, with an integrated focus on social development and a target shift to reach children aged 6-12 years old in both communities and schools.
The partnership with UNICEF has seen the development of a complementary monitoring and evaluation system whereby teachers and volunteers are equipped with the tools and skills to help monitor results.
The New Zealand Aid Programme will support Just Play for three years from 2015-2018 focusing on Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga.

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