The Fijian Government has begun addressing a contentious issue surrounding a 999-year lease issued in 1907 for land in Toko, Tavua — one of the longest leases in Fiji’s history.
The land, encompassing 701 acres and belonging to the mataqali Tilivasewa and Navusabalavu, has been at the centre of a protracted dispute. Landowners claim the lease was intended to last only 99 years but was altered to 999 years, depriving them of rightful access to their ancestral land.
The issue was highlighted during the National Resource Owners Committee session in Pacific Harbour, where Tavua District Representative Ratu Ovini Bokini voiced his community’s frustrations. Speaking as chairman and trustee of the mataqali, Ratu Ovini said the landowners had been seeking clarity for years. “That land was given for 99 years, not 999. The landowners and members of the unit still cry over this issue. From 1907 until today, we have not received any money,” he said.
The land in question now accommodates over 200 homes, schools, and other developments. According to the landowners, they have seen no financial returns, and sublease arrangements remain opaque. Toko Bharatiya School, for instance, reportedly pays just 10 cents annually in rent.
The lease was originally granted in 1907 by the then Commissioner of Lands to Eva Annie Easton and Harold James Thomas under an Order-in-Council. Over the decades, portions of the land were subdivided and subleased. By the time the head lease was transferred to the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) in 1970, much of the land had been developed.
The dispute revolves around claims that the original lease term of 99 years was altered to 999 years, possibly through the use of different inks in the documentation. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged these concerns, stating that a forensic review is necessary to determine the truth behind the alteration. “We’re going to need forensic scientists to study it properly because a different ink was used on the number 9, making it 999 years,” he said.
This case is emblematic of broader issues in Fiji’s land tenure system, where 87% of land is held under inalienable iTaukei customary ownership. Leasing has long been the mechanism for granting land access to non-iTaukei, but disputes over lease terms, subleases, and revenue distribution are common and often politically sensitive.
In a move welcomed by the landowners, the TLTB has announced its intention to surrender the 999-year lease and regularise tenancy arrangements. The Board has issued a public notice requiring all tenants and occupants within the Toko lease to register their subleases, tenancies, or interests within 30 days, supported by documentary evidence. False declarations will result in legal action, and only verified tenants will be issued formal leases.
TLTB stated that surrendering the lease will ensure compliance with current laws and regulations. The move also aims to bring clarity to the complex web of subleases and ensure that landowners receive fair compensation moving forward.
The mataqali Tilivasewa has also called for an investigation into the financial aspects of the lease. Ratu Ovini said the landowners want to know how the land was subleased, how much money was involved, and who has been benefiting from these arrangements. “The people of Tavua deserve to know what happened to their land,” he said.
Concerns about this lease agreement are not new. Similar issues were raised in 2015, but landowners say their pleas for transparency went unanswered. The current Government’s decision to revisit the matter has given them renewed hope.
This case reflects the complexities of land ownership and leasing in Fiji. For the iTaukei, land represents more than property; it is a cornerstone of their cultural identity and a guarantee of indigenous rights. However, the regulation of land leases has often been a source of tension, especially when historical agreements are seen as unjust.
Prime Minister Rabuka has assured landowners that a thorough investigation will be conducted and expressed optimism about finding a resolution. “We cannot immediately determine how this happened, but we need to start somewhere,” he said.
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