Tabuya Negotiates Climate Relocation with New Zealand

Minister for Information, Environment and Climate Change Lynda Tabuya has held high-level discussions with New Zealand on Fiji’s climate relocation programme and key Pacific priorities ahead of upcoming global climate negotiations.

During a courtesy meeting on Tuesday with New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Greg Andrews, Hon. Tabuya highlighted the urgent need for continued international support as vulnerable Fijian communities face increasing threats from climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.

Central to the discussions was New Zealand’s ongoing support for Fiji’s Climate Relocation of Communities (CROC) Trust Fund, including a $6.5 million contribution to assist the relocation of vulnerable communities such as Nabavatu.

Hon. Tabuya said climate relocation was no longer a future issue for Fiji, but a present reality affecting families and entire communities across the country.

Reflecting on her recent visit to the Northern Division, the Minister said families currently living in temporary shelters were hopeful about moving into permanent homes as construction work progresses, with the Nabavatu relocation project expected to be completed in October.

She stressed that climate relocation involved far more than simply moving houses, describing it as a complex process focused on protecting livelihoods, culture, dignity, and long-term community resilience.

High Commissioner Andrews reaffirmed New Zealand’s support for Fiji’s climate resilience efforts and described Fiji’s relocation programme as globally significant and an important example of practical climate action in the Pacific region.

The meeting also focused on preparations for upcoming Pre-COP and COP engagements, with both Fiji and New Zealand reaffirming support for Pacific priorities including climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Hon. Tabuya also called for stronger international cooperation to improve Fiji’s access to climate finance and support locally led resilience and adaptation initiatives in vulnerable communities.

Discussions further covered Fiji’s efforts to tackle misinformation and disinformation ahead of future elections, with both sides acknowledging the growing global challenge posed by online misinformation.

New Zealand shared lessons from its response to misinformation following the Christchurch terror attack and during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Fiji outlined ongoing work towards developing a national framework to address misinformation and strengthen online safety.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the Fiji-New Zealand Duavata Partnership 2026–2030 across climate action, resilience, governance, and information management.

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