Nuku'alofa, Tonga — September 18, 2026 — Advancing efforts to safeguard local families against natural hazards and climate impacts, Habitat for Humanity New Zealand today announced the successful launch of its brand-new Community Resilience Building Booklet.

Developed under a Negotiated Partnership Agreement, the booklet translates core shelter resilience principles into simple, actionable guidelines to help communities build safer, more resilient homes.

Empowering Grassroots Action & Sector Collaboration

Designed for maximum practical impact at the household level, the resource equips local families with essential knowledge on structural safety and resilient housing techniques. Rollout plans and key partnerships for the initiative include:

• Targeted Distribution: Distributing the booklet across target communities over the coming months in the next phase of the program.
• Government Collaboration: Working closely with key sectors and government agencies—including the Ministry of Infrastructure—to maximize visibility and align grassroots building practices with national standards.

Acknowledgements

This crucial initiative was made possible through the generous support and core funding of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the New Zealand Government. Habitat for Humanity NZ remains committed to partnering with local communities and agencies to build safer, more resilient housing across Tonga.

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