Today the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) signed a Grant Funding Arrangement with the National Bank of Vanuatu (NBV) to support Financial Literacy and Business Training throughout rural Vanuatu.

MFAT has agreed  to provide up to $NZD 1.5 million in grant aid over three years (2012-2014) towards the delivery of Financial Literacy and Business Training which will be conducted in 27 locations throughout the NBV's rural network.

Improvements to the Luganvillle Correctional Facility (kalabus), on the island of Santo were opened at a ceremony held on 21 November. The New Zealand Government provided about VT 5 million for the improvements, which enable the prison to hold 80 detainees, including high, medium and low-risk, plus remanded and female detainees (remand detainees are those who are waiting to go to court or have been convicted and are waiting to be sentenced). The cost was kept down through the  labour contributed by low-risk detainees, who were able to practice carpentry skills during the project.

The New Zealand High Commission wishes to inform the public that as of 29 August 2011, a new fee schedule will apply to the New Zealand Immigration Services when making applications. Different fees are payable for applications based on the citizenship of the principal applicant.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) will be providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Santo from 28 April until 10 May as part of the Pacific Partnership Exercise, the New Zealand High Commissioner, Bill Dobbie, announced.

"The Pacific Partnership is an annual United States-Led humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise that takes place in a number of Pacific Island Countries", Mr. Dobbie said.