Fiji Pine Trust

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 Fiji Pine Trust was created to be the bridge between pine landowners and Fiji Pine Limited, connecting the traditions of customary landownership with the needs of a modern plantation enterprise. Born during a time when government was investing in pine plantations to protect the environment and grow national income, the Trust has steadily evolved into a partner for landowners. Beyond safeguarding rights, FPT now provides a platform for dialogue, fair benefit‑sharing, and capacity building, while also supporting Extension Pine Schemes across the country.

Fiji Pine Trust (FPT) was established under the Fiji Pine Act of 1990 to protect the interests of landowners whose land is leased by Fiji Pine Limited for plantation development. Since becoming independent in 1999, FPT has grown into a trusted partner for landowners, providing fair governance, benefit‑sharing, and opportunities through Pine Extension Schemes, training, and enterprise development. Today, the Trust bridges traditional land tenure with modern plantation operations, empowering communities, strengthening livelihoods, and driving sustainable growth across Fiji’s pine industry.

 The Fiji pine industry began in 1972 under the Forestry Department, with plantations established mainly on leased native land. By 1990, the scheme had grown to cover more than 75,000 hectares across Fiji, including operations in Nabou, Nadi, Drasa/Lololo, Ra, Bua, and Macuata, as well as community‑driven Pine Extension Schemes in Lakeba, Lomaiviti, Kadavu, and Dawasamu. Initially managed as the Fiji Pine Scheme under statutory control, the industry was later corporatised into Fiji Pine Limited (FPL) in 1990. From the outset, government policy aimed to eventually transfer ownership and control to native landowners, encouraging land commitments and training programs to prepare them for leadership roles. Commercial harvesting began in the late 1980s, delivering the first substantial returns from plantations that take decades to mature.

When the scheme was corporatised in 1990, government converted its investments into equity shares in FPL, retaining the majority stake while allocating a modest shareholding of 0.02% through Fiji Pine Trust (FPT). Although small, this arrangement gave landowners a formal voice in governance and created expectations for stronger participation and ownership in the future. In 1999, FPT became an independent institution, sharpening its focus on landowner development and laying the foundation for programs such as Pine Extension Schemes, capacity building, and enterprise initiatives. This transition marked a turning point, positioning landowners not just as lessors of land, but as active stakeholders in shaping the future of Fiji’s pine industry.