Budget boosts village leaders and iTaukei development programmes

Village leaders and key iTaukei development programmes will receive increased funding under the 2026-2027 National Budget, despite the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs receiving a $9 million reduction in its overall allocation.

The ministry has been allocated $33.1 million, down from $42.1 million last year. However, funding has increased for village leadership allowances, economic development initiatives and skills training programmes.

The Economic Resource Scheme will receive $3.8 million, an increase of $800,000 from last year's $3 million allocation.

Funding for monthly allowances under the iTaukei Administration has also increased by $1.4 million to $4.2 million, covering Turaga ni Koro (village headmen), Mata ni Tikina (district representatives) and Turaga ni Yavusa (clan heads).

The Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development (CATD) has been allocated $2 million, up from its previous annual allocation of $900,000, to support community development and training initiatives.

Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu said the lower overall allocation reflected changes to the ministry's responsibilities and the country's current economic circumstances.

"It is a fair budget because if you look at last year's allocation, our budget was bigger because we also had the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs portfolio," he said.

"Our projections are still positive because while there is slight decrease in our budget, we are still allocated with some funding that will help boost our developments."

Mr Vasu said the ministry was committed to delivering its programmes within the new allocation.

"We are keen to work with the current budget and are projected to yield from it."

Not all programmes received additional funding.

The ministry's Operating Grant has been reduced by $1.5 million to $3.2 million, while the Village Improvement Scheme has been cut from $2 million in each of the past two years to $1.3 million.

Meanwhile, the country's 14 provincial councils will continue to receive $7.2 million, unchanged from the previous two Budgets.

Great Council of Chiefs chair Ratu Viliame Seruvakula said he would comment after reviewing the Budget in detail.