Fiji, NZ team up for better housing
Mr Nalumisa said this investment would empower the ministry to better allocate resources to both new and ongoing projects.
Wednesday 30 October 2024 | 11:46
Minister for Housing Maciu Nalumisa (third from right) with representatives from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ-MFAT).
The Ministry of Housing and New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) have joined forces to significantly improve socio-economic conditions for low-income earners by increasing access to affordable, high-quality housing in Fiji.
The Minister for Housing and Local, Maciu Nalumisa announced that the New Zealand government is investing more than NZ$15 million (FJ$20.30m), with NZ$1.75m (FJ$2.36m) specifically earmarked for the Ministry of Housing.
It is to support technical assistance, strategic planning, institutional strengthening, and the creation of a national housing database over the next three years.
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Mr Nalumisa said this investment would empower the ministry to better allocate resources to both new and ongoing projects.
The Model Towns Charitable Trust has been granted NZ$6,170,533 (FJ$8.4 million), with NZ$3.6m (FJ$4.87m) allocated to the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) Programme.
This initiative will focus on improving sanitation management in six informal settlements in the greater Suva area.
He said government would provide technical support to enhance policies and planning within the ministry’s regulatory framework and finalise the national housing policy. Financial assistance will be available for the Ministry’s Strategic Plan for 2025–2029.
The partnership between NZ MFAT and the Ministry of Housing is grounded in mutual trust, with both parties committed to building a robust institutional collaboration that strengthens capacity and enhances institutional effectiveness.
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