Foreign affair minister Winston Peters said in the announcement the money would be delivered in additional operating funding over the next four years to expand the country’s Official Development Assistance.

It will primarily go towards the Pacific region, responding to climate change and helping multilateral and humanitarian agencies respond to “global emergencies and issues”, he said.

“This is a clear demonstration to the international community that New Zealand is serious about addressing global and regional challenges and helping people in need,” he added.

New Zealand’s aid support for multilateral and humanitarian agencies has declined over the past nine years and sits well below international averages, the government said in a statement.

“New Zealand’s credibility as a humanitarian donor has been tested. The funding announced today will reverse this decline and lift New Zealand’s Official Development Assistance to 0.28% of gross national income over the next four years,” Peters said.

“Stepping up our financial contribution to multilateral institutions like the United Nations bodies and the World Bank will show New Zealand’s seriousness in being a responsible international citizen.”