Fiji is fairly unique in that 83% of all the land across the Fiji Islands is Native Land, 7% is Crown land and roughly 10% is Freehold.
Native Land belongs to specific village groups and is only ever available for development as leasehold. A portion of each village groups’ land is set aside for the residents as the site of the village and the remainder is classified as Native Reserve.
Typically leases involving Native Land are 99 years, though it can be set at any term, and the leases may be bought and sold within the terms of the original lease.
More information on Native Land Leases can be found on the Native Lands Trust Board site here.
Crown Land comprises approximately 7% of the land in Fiji and also includes all the land below mean high water mark, all the soil under Fiji waters, and the beds of navigable rivers and streams. As per Native Land Crown Land can only be leased and leases are granted by the Director of Lands. More information regarding Crown Land can be found here.
Freehold Land can be purchased, sold, transferred or leased and the land is registered under the Torrens system of land registration. The Land Sales Act does impose some restrictions and covenants on use of land in particular for non residents in relation to stamp duty, vacant land, and quantity of land. You can read about some recent changes to the Act here.
