A businessman has echoed the frustrations of Niue's Premier over accessing New Zealand aid money for tourism and agriculture projects.
Niue's Finance Minister, the Premier Toke Talagi, strongly criticized New Zealand's support for the island in last week's budget speech, attacking what he called the bureaucratic process involved in accessing funds.
Hima Douglas, the manager of Niue's Matavai Hotel, says getting the aid money is crucial, as securing loans from banks and other funding sources for projects, is often difficult and complex.
But he says New Zealand must ensure transparency which can be frustratingly time consuming, with negotiations drawn out.
"Well obviously the Premier thinks he's been made to jump through too many hoops but I guess the New Zealand people NZAID have got their masters to answer to, so I guess they've got their procedures put in place to ensure that any assistance given is being used in the manner in which it was intended."
Hima Douglas, the manager of Niue's Matavai resort.
