The Council for World Mission (CWM) Pacific region Churches have criticised the Government's move to take New Zealand's aid emphasis off poverty reduction, and to merge NZAID back into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. CWM Pacific region spokesperson the Rev Martin Baker says the Pacific churches are particularly concerned that the New Zealand Government has changed its primary aid focus from reduction of poverty to economic development.

Churches have an important role to play in reconciliation initiatives in troubled regions of the world, such as Madagascar, says the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Over the past few weeks the Christian Council of Churches of Madagascar has attempted to convene a conference of reconciliation after weeks of violence in the country following a change of government, says Graham.