Applying For Land & Building a Home
Applying for Land
Only Pitcairn Islanders and those approved for settlement and permanent resident status, their children or grandchildren, over the age of 18, having chosen to settle permanently on Pitcairn, are eligible to apply for land. There are no currently no charges for land for Settlement on Pitcairn Island.
New migrants who have been approved for Settlement can apply to the Pitcairn Island Council for land on which to build a home within 6 months of arrival at Pitcairn.
Once your settlement application is approved and you have arrived on Pitcairn you can apply to the Pitcairn Island Council for a new migrant home land site. To construct your home you may like to employ local labour, work on the project yourself or bring in an external contractor.
Land is granted on a leasehold basis and there is currently no charge. New Migrant Home Land Applications may be made to Island Council at any time within the 2 (non-consecutive permanent residency period. However, a request will not be progressed until such time as the applicant(s) are on-island.
A New Migrant Home land site, held by the Pitcairn Council for a new migrant, will be no bigger than 1500 sqm.
1500 sqm is large enough to build a comfortable home with a domestic garden and orchard.
When the Lands Court grants land, to the Pitcairn Council for a new migrant, the land’s title is held by the Pitcairn Council, for the new migrant(s), until such time as they reach their 2-year permanent residency requirement. When new migrants have resided on Pitcairn for 2 (non-consecutive) years they will receive formal notification, from the Governor, stating they have been granted permanent residency. At that time they can apply to the Pitcairn Council to have the land title transferred to their name.
The PItcairn Council will not apply to the Lands Court, for a Land Title, on any other type of land category, for a new migrant, under this policy, including business or commercial land.
Building a Home
The cost of building a home will vary depending on the size and type of dwelling and the materials used.
When approved new migrants have completed their 2-year (non-consecutive) settlement period they are eligible to access the GPI Home and Personal Loans schemes.
A Home Loan is available on attractive terms to first-time home builders, providing up to NZ$60,000 to cover purchases of materials. This is subject to qualifying criteria.
New migrants can design and build the home of their dreams on Pitcairn if they want to.
It takes some planning to get the right materials on island at the right stages of the build but it can most certainly be done.
Traditionally homes are built by homeowners themselves with the help and/or paid assistance of local trades people. Many Pitcairners are well skilled at carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, painting and decorating. Building and planning permissions are very straight forward and there is a first home, freight free, loan available.
