# ACT cuts foreign aid by $1.1bn over four years

> ACT promises $1.1bn foreign aid cuts over four years, protecting Pacific and Ukraine.
- Title: ACT cuts foreign aid by $1.1bn over four years · RNZ
- Summary: ACT promises $1.1bn foreign aid cuts over four years, protecting Pacific and Ukraine. ACT Party plans to reduce foreign aid by $1.1 billion over four years…
- Keywords: act party, foreign aid, pacific, ukraine, mfa, new zealand, election 2026, politics, news, ACT, cuts, foreign
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1843269/act-promises-to-cut-foreign-aid-by-1-point-1-billion-over-four-years-pacific-and-ukraine-protected
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-11T05:43:30+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: act party, foreign aid, pacific, ukraine, mfa, new zealand, election 2026, politics, news
## ACT's foreign aid plan
The ACT Party wants to cut more than $1.1 billion in foreign aid over four years from 2028 onwards.
## Aid cut rationale
Paul Henry said it would mean a 'reality check' for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on behalf of taxpayers.

> reality check
## Fiscal plan details
The proposal states that 'overseas spending must be weighed against domestic priorities' and would save around $283 million annually.
## Pacific and Ukraine protection
ACT will reduce foreign aid to 2017 levels, excluding support for Ukraine, which has totalled around $152 million since the war began.
## Budget impact
Reducing foreign aid by $283 million per year from a $3.06 billion budget would amount to a 28 percent cut.
## Criticism from experts
Aid expert Terence Wood warned the cuts would wreak havoc on New Zealand's aid programme and its workers.
## Political reactions
Labour's Chris Hipkins and New Zealand First's Winston Peters criticized the policy as a waste of time and 'mindless'.

> mindless
## Key takeaway

ACT Party plans to reduce foreign aid by $1.1 billion over four years, maintaining support for the Pacific and Ukraine.