Fiji returns Native Grant 187 catchment land to Vitogo landowners

Rebekah Rasmussen Published January 22, 2026 at 5.15pm (AWST)

pacific

Fiji has returned part of Native Grant 187 to five Vitogo mataqali after more than a century. (Image: Fiji Government)

A section of Fiji's Native Grant 187 has been formally reverted to five landowning mataqali in Vitogo, Lautoka, returning catchment land held by the State for more than a century.

The handover returns land linked to the Lautoka Water Supply Catchment Area after a process approved by Cabinet in 1999 and finalised through survey approvals and a legal notice.

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officiated the title handover in Vitogo Village, with the reversion presented as the completion of a decades-long push by landowners.

"Here we are, at the end of the journey, still standing and still believing that with perseverance nothing is impossible," he said.

Cabinet's 1999 decision approved the return of part of Native Grant 187 after it was assessed as no longer required for its original public purpose.

"Now that the survey plan has been approved together with Cabinet approvals, the Gazette of the Legal Notice makes the return of the subject land official," Mr Rabuka said.

The landowning units identified as owners of the catchment area within Native Grant 187 are Mataqali Tunuloa of Vitogo Village, Mataqali Matarisiga of Vitogo Village, Mataqali Vidilo of Namoli Village, Mataqali Nadakuvatu of Saru Village, and Mataqali Noi Batiri of Namoli Village.

Mataqali Tunuloa and Mataqali Matarisiga of Vitogo Village, Mataqali Vidilo and Mataqali Noi Batiri of Namoli Village, and Mataqali Nadakuvatu of Saru Village have received land returns. (Image: Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources/Facebook)

Government material put the wider Native Grant 187 area at approximately 3,177 acres.

The land was acquired by the colonial government for catchment purposes and held under State ownership for nearly a century.

Parts of the land were retained for ongoing public needs, including water infrastructure and other essential areas.

Compensation was paid to landowners for the 25-acre extension of Tavakubu Cemetery.

Administration of leased lands involving the Fiji Sugar Corporation, the Fiji Pine Commission and other active leases will now be transferred to the iTaukei Land Trust Board.

The Prime Minister acknowledged some Elders who began the process did not live to see the titles handed over.

"I wish to acknowledge those who have gone before us and were part of this journey. May their souls rest in peace," Mr Rabuka said.

The landowning units were encouraged to use the returned land productively, with government material pointing to agriculture, tourism, business and other ventures.

"The land has been returned to you. Use it wisely," Mr Rabuka said.

*The handover of Native Grant 187 reaffirmed responsibilities tied to iTaukei land ownership. (Image: ITaukei Land Trust Board/Facebook)*

iTaukei Affairs Board Chief Executive Officer, Solomone Nata, said the handover reaffirmed responsibilities tied to iTaukei land ownership and community development.

"This handover is a testament to the enduring bond between land and the native Fijians," he said.

"As custodians, we encourage landowning units to harness and fully utilise this God-given gift for the future of our people and the generations to come."

The submission process was progressed after an extensive survey, with renewed work taken back to Cabinet to complete the reversion.

Mr Rabuka said the pathway to revert part of Native Grant 187 required legal work, consultations and coordination across multiple parties and stakeholders.

Attendance at the ceremony included community leaders and senior officials, with the Ministry acknowledging the vanua of Vitogo and stakeholders involved in the reversion process.