Mataqali Vusatoranikuku (Molituva) Turns Land Proceeds into Development Opportunities

The Mataqali Vusatoranikuku of Molituva Village, despite owning one of the smallest land portions within the Yavusa Nailagolaba in Kuku, Bau, Tailevu, has taken a bold step towards economic empowerment—proving that with strategic planning, even limited resources can create lasting impact.

Speaking on behalf of the Mataqali, spokesman and trustee Mr. Autiko Nagonenaka shared that their first major investment was the purchase of a 3-tonne truck to provide much-needed transportation services within the Mataqali and the village. This milestone was officially marked yesterday (26 March 2025) when the truck was handed over in a celebration filled with enthusiasm and optimism about their future.

With an annual income of approximately $40,000, the Mataqali sought guidance from the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) in Nausori, requesting a series of consultations and awareness sessions to help them manage their land and lease funds more effectively. Following two months of discussions, they made a collective decision in December last year to venture into business which saw the birth of the mataqali-owned company known as Vusatoranikuku Enterprise Pte Ltd.

A key part of their financial strategy involved their 12 newly subdivided lots. Out of these, they decided to hold onto the premium from four lots—to fund their development projects. The Mataqali has also established a structured revenue-sharing model, where 70% of the proceeds will be equally distributed among members under the Equal Rent Distribution (ERD) system, while the remaining 30% will be deposited into the Mataqali Trust account for future investments.

Their next phase of development includes the development of two residential lots as real estate properties and the construction of a new $40,000 house for the Turaga Ni Mataqali. Once completed, they plan to undertake a large-scale renovation project to upgrade all Mataqali homes within the village.