About 91 per cent of Fiji’s landmass is owned by iTaukei landowners and administered by the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), according to information outlined by TLTB management.
The board said iTaukei land is governed under the iTaukei Lands Act 1905 and includes vacant land, land set aside under proclamation, and extinct mataqali land vested in the Board.
TLTB stated that iTaukei land is neither State land nor subject to State or iTaukei grants, and is administered by the Board on behalf of the respective iTaukei owners under the iTaukei Land Trust Act 1940.
“iTaukei land is owned by the respective iTaukei owners and administered by TLTB for the benefit of the iTaukei owners,” the management statement said.
The Board noted that the dominance of iTaukei land ownership meant land administration remained a significant national issue tied closely to economic development, leasing, agriculture, housing and investment.
The statement also outlined the composition of other land categories in Fiji, including freehold and State land.
According to TLTB management, freehold land accounts for about six per cent of Fiji’s landmass. These lands originated from Crown grants issued following validation by the Lands Claims Commission established after Fiji’s cession to Great Britain in 1874.
“A total of 1582 Crown Grants covering an area of 152,815 hectares thus became freehold land,” the statement said.
It added that some Crown Grants had since been purchased or acquired by the State and were now classified as State freehold lands.
The remaining land falls under State ownership and is administered by the Department of Lands under the State Lands Act 1945.
TLTB management said State land includes all public lands in Fiji, foreshores, inland waters such as rivers and streams, and lands acquired by the State for public purposes.
The Board said State land is leased or licensed under the State Lands Act, while iTaukei land continues to be managed through the TLTB framework for the benefit of customary landowners.
