A little known Pacific development agency allocated nearly four million US dollars by the New Zealand government has failed to secure any money after criticism resulted in the funds going to open tender.
At the time of the budget announcement the New Zealand government was criticised for awarding the money to the Pacific Economic Development Agency without following a tender process.
Richard Pamatatau reports
"Documents obtained by Radio New Zealand News earlier in the year showed the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs advised against allocating the money to the Pacific Economic Development Agency. But the Agency got the money from the Government in the budget. The Ministry's chief executive says the funds have now gone to four organisations with experience in the development of education and employment for Pacific Islanders. Colin Tukuitonga says work begins next year on programmes that are mostly aimed at young people between the ages of 16 and 24."
