A new lease money distribution formula has come into effect on January 1, with the proprietary unit of a native land receiving 85 per cent of the monies compared with 70 per cent before.
The change has been gazetted in the iTaukei Land Trust (Leases and Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 that was authorised by the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu,
The distribution of the lease rental and premiums will be done after deductions by the iTaukei Lands and Trust Board.
The turaga ni mataqali will now receive 7 per cent compared with 15 per cent previously.
The turaga ni yavusa will get 5 per cent compared with 10 per cent before and the turaga i taukei will be paid 3 per cent compared to 5 per cent previously.
“Where the board has determined that any purchase monies received in respect of the sale or other disposition of iTaukei land is to be distributed after the deduction of any expenses incurred by the board for the sale or other disposition, the balance must be distributed in accordance with subregulation (1) of (The iTaukei Land Trust (Leases and Licences) Regulations 1984),” states the gazette notice dated March 14.
“Where there is more than one division or subdivision of the people within the same proprietary unit, the turaga of the same status must share equally the sum payable to them under subregulation (1) irrespective of whether or not any other sum is payable to any of them under subregulation (1) in their capacity as turaga of any other division or subdivision within such proprietary unit.”
