Concerns were expressed during the consultation on the draft National Housing Policy for 2024-2030 last Wednesday, particularly regarding its implications for women in rural areas. Akisi Korodrau, a participant and member of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei, highlighted the need to address how the policy would benefit women in her community, especially as some are landowners and single mothers.
Korodrau emphasized that the policy must consider the financial realities for poor women living in villages, questioning how standards would be met without adequate resources. Keith Hornby, Housing Advisor from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, responded by affirming that the draft policy aims to address the concerns raised about women’s issues in rural contexts.
Hornby noted the importance of understanding the existing system, including grants for housing construction available through the Ministry of Rural Maritime Development, and the potential for refining these policies to better support women. He stressed that the strategic vision of the policy must include adequate considerations for women, particularly single women, to ensure they can benefit from housing grants within their villages.