Pacific families are taking confident steps toward home ownership with support from the Financial Capability Programme. Since 2021, the programme has helped thousands build financial skills, plan for the future, and protect what matters most.
For many Pacific families, home ownership is more than just having a place to live - it’s about creating stability, building wealth, and securing a future for the next generation.
Pacific families face higher barriers to home ownership, including lower intergenerational wealth and limited access to financial support that reflects their cultural values and lived realities. These challenges can make it harder to save, plan, and navigate complex housing systems.
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples leads the Financial Capability Programme to help address these barriers. Since its launch in 2021, the Financial Capability Programme has supported over 3,500 Pacific peoples to build financial confidence and take steps toward home ownership. Of these, 361 families have successfully purchased homes, and 36 families have avoided losing their homes to mortgagee sales.
The programme will continue through to June 2028, supported by $5.82 million in funding for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 period. This investment reflects the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ commitment to improving long-term outcomes for Pacific communities.
For one young Pacific couple, returning to their roots in Glen Innes was about more than just finding a house – it was about raising their children in the same neighbourhood as their church, family, and community. It meant they could maintain a deep connection to their faith and, community, and pass their culture down to their kids.
“When we first started, we were in low-income jobs, juggling a tight budget and raising two young kids,” said the couple. “We joined the Financial Capability Programme in 2022. It taught us not only how to save and plan but how to talk about money as a couple. It was transformative.”
Through strategic saving, upskilling (including a diploma in nursing and a trade apprenticeship), and steady support from the programme’s pastoral care team, the couple eventually reached their home ownership goal.
“We had setbacks, but we stayed focused. Now we’re raising our children in the same neighbourhood where our roots are,” they shared.
For many single Pacific applicants, homeownership can feel out of reach - especially when working part-time, managing small deposits, or navigating lending systems that aren’t designed with their realities in mind.
One participant in their mid-30s joined the programme after hearing about it from a friend. With support provided through the programme, they built a savings plan, managed debt, and prepared for a home Loan.
Just four months later, they secured a new-build home.
“I didn’t know I could buy a house with just a 5% deposit,” they said. “This programme opened that door for me.”
For some Pacific families, the risk isn’t just about not getting into a home - it’s about holding on to the one they already have. One older homeowner was at risk of losing their property after receiving poor financial advice and facing unexpected renovation costs.
Through the programme, they received support from a Pacific accountant who helped them create a plan to manage their debt and refinance their mortgage. With this guidance, they were able to keep their home and avoid over $100,000 in future interest.
“This should never have happened,” they said. “But the support we received made all the difference. Having someone who understands both the system and our cultural needs was vital.”
Their experience shows how culturally grounded financial advice can help protect the intergenerational wealth Pacific families have worked hard to build.
The Ministry is committed to building on this momentum, recognising that financial capability is a foundation for long-term housing stability and intergenerational wellbeing.
To continue this impact, the Ministry is now seeking experienced providers to deliver the Financial Capability Programme from 2025/26 to 2027/28.
If your organisation is passionate about supporting Pacific families to achieve financial independence and home ownership, now is the time to get involved.
For more information, visit the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS)
GETS | Ministry for Pacific Peoples - Financial Capability Programme
For Pacific families wanting to access support through the programme, provider details will be made available once the tender process is complete. Families will be able to connect with local providers for tailored financial guidance and home ownership support.
Stay tuned - more information will be shared here soon.