In order to assist Fiji through climate change challenges, the Government of New Zealand today confirmed that NZ$3.2 million has been allocated to Fiji through the Pacific Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Partnership.

In his announcement this morning at the Koronivia Research Station, Hon. Dr Shane Reti MP - New Zealand Minister for Pacific Peoples, Science, Innovation and Technology, Statistics and Universities, said that he was honoured to announce New Zealand’s support for the Fiji program.

“Agriculture and resilient food systems play a fundamental role for livelihoods and economic resilience in Fiji and wider in the Pacific. Fiji and Pacific farmers produce nutritious food and export produce, including to New Zealand and the region,” said Hon. Reti.

He added that Fiji is an important hub for the Pacific however, climate change challenges are getting severe and it is therefore vital that land-use programmes are informed by science and support the aspirations for sustained economic growth.

“To support Fiji and our other Pacific partners with meeting these challenges, New Zealand has committed NZ$13.8 million for the Pacific Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Partnership. The partnership will run from 2025-2029 in Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu,” added Hon. Reti.

Hon. Reti added that the assistance will see cutting edge scientists from New Zealand’s Bioeconomy Science Institute, formerly Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways to support:

Climate-resilient crop trials, including through Fiji’s agriculture research stations, such as Koronivia and farmer access to climate and pest resilient quality seed;

Cost-effective soil monitoring for farmers to sustainably improve productivity, ;

Climate-resilient landscape planning by analysing environmental and socio-economic data.

Hon. Reti added that a key part of the partnership is communities of practice.

“The Bioeconomy Science Institute will collaborate with related organisations such as the University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Pacific Community (SPC)."

“They will leverage existing activities, including the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) gene bank located in Suva and the Pacific Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (PACS) initiative which New Zealand is proud to support alongside Australia, and undertake outreach to ensure the Partnership insights inform farming and land-use practices.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna thanked Hon. Reti for the tremendous support and said that his visit highlights the importance of the collaboration between New Zealand and Fiji in developing resilience to the impending effects of climate change.

“In the Duavata Partnership established between our two nations, it is imperative that we consistently emphasize the significance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a common objective for our efforts, aimed at enhancing the well-being of our citizens and the health of our planet,” said Hon. Tunabuna.

“As island nations, we are faced with a daily dilemma in finding the best solutions that will ensure food and income security for our communities. This task will involve the use of adaptive, scientifically proven farming systems that can be easily adopted and are affordable to our farmers.”

Hon. Tunabuna added that the Fiji Government is spearheading the initiative towards sustainable agriculture, given the limited land resources of 18,000 square kilometres that are also utilized by other resource-based industries, including forestry.

“Our commitment to sustainable agriculture was highlighted in the announcement of the 2025-2026 budget, which has an increase in budget for the sustainable land management and climate-smart agriculture programs. It is our firm belief that sustaining our natural resources will provide a conducive environment for our future generations to relish,” added Hon. Tunabuna.

The visit and announcement today by Hon. Reti lays the groundwork for enhancing the bond in scientific research to support and sustain the livelihoods of our communities. 

ENDS

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