ITAUKEI landowners must be consulted before their customary land is approved for use, says Rakiraki Town Council special administrator chairman Peni Duaniwai.
He raised the issue during a public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at the Rakiraki Village Hall on Tuesday.
Mr Duaniwai said policies intended to safeguard iTaukei natural resources did not always benefit the people they were meant to protect.
He called for the issue to be reviewed to ensure resources were shared fairly between landowners and the Government.
“I hope that this matter gets looked into so that the resources get shared equally to the landowners and the Government,” he said.
Mr Duaniwai said landowners should be consulted before the iTaukei Affairs Ministry or the Ministry of Lands approved the use of their land.
