New Zealand will give the International Committee of the Red Cross $1 million to support its humanitarian work in Gaza.

"This money will help the Red Cross provide urgently needed medical supplies and safe drinking water to the civilian population of Gaza, and to care for those affected by the conflict," Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.

"There is a pressing need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and the ceasefire provides a window for aid agencies to provide that help.

"The situation on the ground remains fragile, but the current lull in fighting is a positive development, which we hope will lead to a lasting ceasefire agreement," Mr McCully said.

New Zealand's contribution to the Red Cross will be made though the government's international aid agency, NZAID.

New Zealand is to give a further $500,000 to organisations helping communities hit by flooding in Fiji.

"It is clear the people of Fiji are in need of assistance from the international community, and the New Zealand government is committed to providing immediate aid,” Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.

"Our initial contribution of $100,000 enabled Fiji Red Cross to replenish its emergency stocks and to continue relief efforts this week during the second period of heavy rain and flooding.

"Of the new funding announced, $300,000 will go towards supplying items identified by Fiji's Disaster Management Committee as being urgently needed – in particular water tanks and containers, water purification tablets, and rehydration salts – which will be provided by international agencies such as UNICEF, or directly by NZAID.

"Up to a further $200,000 will be available for organisations with an established presence in affected areas, subject to a proposal process run through the New Zealand High Commission in Suva.

"It is clear that the flooding has caused significant damage to infrastructure, businesses and crops in Fiji. Over the coming weeks the immediate relief phase will become a longer-term recovery effort.

"As more detailed assessments come in from Fiji we will consider further requests for assistance.

"It is also appropriate at this point to acknowledge the generosity of communities and individuals in New Zealand who have supported the relief effort," Mr McCully said.

In December last year Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced that New Zealand would contribute $300,000 to assist with relief efforts in the wake of extensive flooding in the northern provinces of Papua New Guinea.

"Severe tidal surges, caused by a combination of unusually high sea levels and tropical depressions, have resulted in flooding that has left an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people homeless," Mr McCully said.

"New Zealand's assistance, which will be delivered through the government's international development agency NZAID, will go to organisations such as the Red Cross, to provide stocks of emergency supplies.

"Papua New Guinea's provincial and central authorities have responded quickly and effectively to meet the immediate needs of those displaced by the flooding, and the Australian government is also assisting with relief efforts.

"New Zealand will also contribute an emergency response specialist to a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination (UNDAC) team which will support the national government and co-ordinate the international response," Mr McCully said.

New Zealand has committed $1.5 million to supporting the democratic reform process in Tonga.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the money would support the work of the recently established independent Constitutional and Electoral Commission, as well as broader progress towards democratic elections and reform, including public education.

"I would like to congratulate His Majesty King George Tupou V, and Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele, for their commitment to bringing reform to Tonga.

"This next phase will mark the culmination of their efforts in supporting reform in Tonga, and we are encouraged by their commitment to the holding of democratic elections in 2010.

"Over the next 10 months the Commission will report on the future parliamentary system in Tonga, and the type of electoral system to be adopted for democratic elections.

"It is important that we assist with what will be a historic move towards a more modern parliamentary democracy in Tonga," Mr McCully said.

New Zealand's funding will be delivered over three years through the government's international development agency, NZAID, and will be matched by a similar payment by the Tongan government.