Fiji Land and Property

The Native Land Trust Board (NLTB) was established in Fiji in 1940 for the purpose of securing, protecting and managing land ownership rights assigned to local indigenous ownership and to facilitate the commercial transactions that revolve around its use. Native land, managed by the NLTB, comprises 87% of the land in Fiji and was permanently deeded by the British Crown in the 1880's. To put it simply, this land cannot be sold. It will forever remain as property of the landowning unit unless sold back to the State and then solely for public purpose. Native land is available for public use by lease agreement. Leases can vary from 30 years for agricultural purposes up to 99 years for most other uses (commercial, residential, etc).

The Family History Library has land and property records for Fiji in its collection, from 1879 to 1992.

Land records
Research use: Establish residence and relationships.

Record type: Land claims, native land records, land court grants, native lease land, tax allotments, and others with significant genealogical content.

General: Civil documentation of land ownership and transfer.

Time period: 1890-present

Contents: Names, dates, residences, relationships, proof of ownership, and property descriptions.

Location: Land offices, courts, commissions, and other governmental administrations.

Percentage in Family History Library: 25% (Fiji Native Land Commission records filmed in 1981-1982).

Population coverage: 30% of the population.

Reliability: High.