Hundreds of villages and thousands of families across Fiji are feeling the effects of two parallel problems: a shortage of local leadership in the vanua and persistent housing insecurity in informal settlements.
Vacant chiefly and customary roles
The Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Pita Tagicakirewa, has warned that more than 6,000 chiefly and customary positions remain unfilled, with the occupancy rate for these roles hovering around 47 percent over recent years. Officials say prolonged vacancies in these leadership positions risk weakening traditional governance structures and could contribute to rising social problems in rural areas.
To address the gap, officers from the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission are conducting province-by-province visits to consult villages and fill vacant Bose Vanua roles. The programme has recorded a reportedly high success rate — roughly 80 percent during recent rounds of visits — and will be followed by training for new leaders on their responsibilities. Strengthening Bose Vanua is also being framed as part of a wider response to growing community challenges, including drug use and health issues such as HIV/AIDS.
Housing pressures and stalled resettlement
At the same time, housing remains a major challenge. Government agencies acknowledge that financing shortfalls and resistance from some illegal settlers have impeded resettlement efforts, slowing progress for thousands of families living in informal settlements. Officials report more than 250 informal settlements exist across state, iTaukei and freehold land in Fiji, creating an urgent need for coordinated solutions.
The Ministry of Housing has flagged that launching housing projects is a lengthy, complex process. Specific situations highlighted include the potential eviction of around 100 families from Waisasa Settlement in Tacirua — a matter still under discussion as authorities weigh legal and social considerations.
Public rental and redevelopment activity
There are also encouraging signs of progress in some redevelopments. The Public Rental Board (PRB) has taken over 36 Lagilagi housing units at Jittu Estate in Raiwaqa that were previously unoccupied. PRB management and the Lands Minister have indicated these units will be prepared for occupancy and offered under either rental or purchase arrangements, with the aim of providing immediate, affordable options for applicants. The PRB is coordinating poverty-alleviation supports with other ministries and assisting tenants who wish to return to rural communities.
Global context and the scale of the challenge
UN-Habitat continues to emphasise housing as a fundamental human right and warns of the scale of global housing needs: tens of thousands of affordable units are required daily worldwide to meet demand. Locally, access to secure housing is linked directly to opportunities for employment, education and improved health outcomes — making it a central plank in poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Why leadership and housing are linked
Local leaders — chiefs and Bose Vanua — play a vital role in community decision-making, land use and dispute resolution. Vacancies in customary leadership can slow community engagement around matters such as land development, lease negotiations and resettlement planning. Filling these roles and strengthening traditional governance structures can therefore accelerate locally owned solutions for housing and development.
Practical next steps and hopeful signs
– Continue the commission’s village visits and ensure comprehensive training for newly appointed vanua leaders so they can participate effectively in planning and conflict resolution.
– Prioritise transparent, community-led consultations when resettlement or eviction is considered, to reduce resistance and identify durable options for affected families.
– Scale up partnerships between government housing agencies, the PRB and development partners to unlock finance for accelerated construction of affordable units.
– Use redevelopments like the Jittu Estate project as pilots to demonstrate quality finishes, tenant support services and linkages to livelihoods programs.
Additional comments and explanation
Filling chiefly vacancies and accelerating housing projects are complementary goals. Strong vanua leadership can help mediate land issues, support culturally appropriate resettlement, and foster local buy-in for development. Conversely, visible housing gains — completed, occupied, and supported by livelihood initiatives — can build trust between communities and government agencies, easing future programs.
Summary
Fiji faces intertwined governance and housing challenges: thousands of customary leadership posts remain vacant while hundreds of informal settlements seek durable solutions. Ongoing province-level drives to fill Bose Vanua positions, paired with targeted housing initiatives and redevelopments, signal a pathway forward. With coordinated action, community engagement and investment, these efforts could restore local leadership, speed up resettlement progress and improve living standards for many families.
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