NZPPD members have had the opportunity to participate in study tours on population and development issues.
These amazing trips involve long days and hard work, but provide opportunities for parliamentarians to see population and development issues on the ground in developing countries.
“In spite of a packed agenda and stirling security, it was an extraordinary event to participate in. We lifted up the corner of the covers, and peeped into this land – rich in language, culture and resources. So impressively full of ambition, yet beset by problems which would bring a stronger, larger State to its knees - we were awestruck by what we saw.”
Tim Barnett, NZPPD Member
In 2006, three NZPPD members participated in a study tour to Papua New Guinea (PNG): Hon Steve Chadwick, Paul Hutchison, and Tim Barnett.
They were joined by Australian MP Duncan Kerr, and representatives from New Zealand’s International Aid and Development Agency (NZAID), Family Planning International and the media. The Study Tour was co-hosted by the Papua New Guinea Family Health Association.
As well as attending official meetings, delegates went to the heart of the matter when they met and talked with sex workers, visited hospitals, health clinics, schools, community development projects and NGOs.
Through these experiences they learned at the practical level how good sexual and reproductive health is necessary for positive development.
NZPPD members shared their findings and recommendations for action in a report Study Tour to Papua New Guinea: Raising Awareness of the Millennium Development Goals in the Pacific, and in follow up meetings and correspondence.
A good level of media coverage was obtained during and following the Study Tour in both Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, and the visit led to action being taken to improve one of PNG’s long-neglected tertiary hospitals
In 2004, three NZPPD members: Hon Steve Chadwick, Lynne Pillay and Metiria Turei, joined Pacific colleagues: Hon Dr Talalelei Tuitama (Samoa), Hon Asaeli Masicala (Fiji) and Dame Carol Kidu (Papua New Guinea) to focus on the impact of the HIV pandemic on development in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The programme was organised in partnership with the Cambodian and Vietnam Associations of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
Powerful photographs captured during the tour by Simon Woolf created the exhibition “Hope and Dignity – Images of Life”, displayed on several occasions domestically and internationally.
In April-March 2002, Hon Steve Chadwick participated in a Study Tour to Fiji and Kiribati to view population and environment projects.
“Above all, this Study Tour brought home the reality of HIV and AIDS. Our visit showed the effectiveness of early intervention, and the very limited window of opportunity. It also demonstrated ways in which Asia, Pacific and New Zealand MPs can work together on the issue of HIV and AIDS.”
Hon Steve Chadwick, NZPPD Chair 2000-2007