EMPOWERING THE LANDOWNERS: A NEW DAWN FOR NAITASIRI

The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB), through its Landowners Division, has taken a bold step forward in landowner empowerment with the launch of its very first Landowning Unit (LOU) Workshop for 2025. Held under the powerful theme, “Empowering Landowners for Successful Implementation & Sustainability of Development Projects,” the workshop brought together 57 landowners from 14 landowning units (mataqali) in the Tikina of Soloira, Naqaravakawalu, Viria, Navuakece and Nabaitavo in Naitasiri, at Navatukia Village, Serea on Thursday, 15 May.

This initiative is part of TLTB’s ongoing commitment to help landowners move from potential to prosperity by unlocking the value of their land through knowledge, collaboration, and action. This was done in collaboration with relevant Ministries that were presence to provide awareness and advice on the technicality and relevancy to be undertaken to ensure successful implementations of projects.

The workshop began with a heartfelt sharing and an inspiring address from Senior Landowners Officer, Mr. Pio Raitoni. Sharing his own observations from a recent trip to the Maori in New Zealand, Mr. Raitoni spoke passionately about indigenous communities there—scarce resources with immense development owned by the Maori or tribe through structural planning. His message to the people of Naitasiri was simple but profound:

🔹 Form a committee of Trustees within each Mataqali
🔹 Create a long-term development vision
🔹 Profile and understand the true potential of your land
🔹 Tap into support systems like the iTaukei Development Fund Facility (TDFF)

“You own the land—now own your future,” Mr. Raitoni urged.
The second part of the workshop featured key presentations from Government and development partners, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries, and the Department of Cooperative, among others. These partners provided practical guidance on sustainable land use, funding opportunities, and income diversification.

Most inspiring were the landowner success stories shared—examples of progress from Mataqali Waimaro of Navoka village, Nabaitavo and Mataqali Navitilevu of Vatukorosia village, Navuakece. These were not just stories—they were blueprints for change.

The final part of the program was the handover of the Asset Capitalisation reports to the fourteen (14) Mataqalis who attended the workshop. The report covers Landowning unit profiling and the Landowners’ Advisory Plan. The document is important for engaging with development partners to develop their resources and access funding through the TDFF or others of their choice.