The New Zealand Government has given the Pacific Cooperation Foundation nearly four million US dollars over four years in this year's Budget to assist its role of fostering understanding and links between New Zealand and the Pacific.
The Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, says the money will ensure the PCF is better resourced to contribute to efforts to improve New Zealand relations with the Pacific, and to enhance New Zealanders' appreciation of Pacific issues.
The PCF chairman Neil Plimmer says the four-year commitment will be particularly helpful in enabling PCF to plan with a degree of certainty.
He says the funding will help media better cover important Pacific issues; provide training for both New Zealand and Pacific media; develop business connections and promote two-way trade.
He says the PCF is also determinedly increasing its funding from the private sector.
