The commercial harvesting of pine plantations on Lakeba in the Lau Group is projected to generate approximately $4.6 million in royalties over the next five years, with benefits expected to flow to landowners and communities across the island.
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Alitia Bainivalu revealed this in a written parliamentary response dated September 29, 2026, on the progress of pine harvesting and revenue distribution arrangements on Lakeba.
Ms Bainivalu said commercial pine harvesting only commenced in June this year, marking a significant milestone for the island’s landowners and communities.
She confirmed that no revenue from commercial pine sales was earned by any of Lakeba’s Yavusa in 2023, 2024 or 2025.
Prior to 2026, the mature pine resource remained largely unharvested because of the absence of a commercial entity, logistical infrastructure and governance arrangements.
However, the establishment of Lakeba Nexus Holdings Pte Ltd as the commercial arm of the Tikina has paved the way for harvesting operations.
The Minister said commercial deliveries commenced on June 22, following the handover of logging machinery in May and a portable sawmill valued at approximately $60,000 in June.
Between June 22 and September 18, a total of 2,301 logs, representing 283.036 cubic metres of pine, were delivered for processing and sale.
The estimated overall value of these deliveries, calculated at $750 per cubic metre, stood at $212,277.
At the applicable royalty rate of $30 per cubic metre, approximately $8,491 in royalties had accrued to the Lakeba Trust.
Ms Bainivalu said the operation remained in its early stages, with arrangements being established to ensure benefits were returned equitably to landowners and communities across Lakeba’s eight villages and Yavusa.
She said the projected $4.6 million in royalties over the 2026–2030 period would be paid to the Lakeba Trust through pine supplied to Tropik Wood Industries Limited and the Wainiyabia Sawmill.
The Minister also highlighted employment opportunities arising from the industry, with approximately $400,000 annually budgeted for salaries and wages for logging crews, sawmill operators, transport workers and administrative staff.
Infrastructure development is another major component of the project.
This includes $2 million allocated in the 2026–2027 National Budget for the Wainiyabia Jetty, a proposed 14-kilometre access road, renovation of the Wainiyabia Sawmill and improvements to staff housing at Ratu Mara College.
Ms Bainivalu also outlined a proposed dividend-sharing arrangement under which 25 per cent of net profits from 2027 to 2029 and 30 per cent from 2030 would be paid to the Lakeba Trust for distribution to the eight villages.
However, the arrangement remains subject to approval of the company’s Dividend Policy.
Under the proposed management structure, approximately 30 per cent of pine volume will be managed through Fiji Pine Limited, while the remaining 70 per cent will be operated by Lakeba Nexus Holdings.
The Minister said the Lakeba Trust would distribute benefits in accordance with its Trust Policy and Manual, taking into account land ownership and customary rights.
She added that under the Fiji Pine Trust framework, 85 per cent of royalties and premiums are returned to the proprietary unit of the landowning group, with the balance distributed to traditional leaders under applicable land trust arrangements.
The Government maintains that the development will provide long-term economic opportunities for Lakeba through royalties, employment, community enterprises and improved infrastructure.
