The Vanuatu Parliament has passed a major land reform bill this week, paving the way for the Government to expand the use of existing public land to benefit the broader public interest, including residential and livelihood purposes.

In an interview with VBTC News, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Mako Mahe, explained that under the previous laws, many people living on public land were unable to legally obtain land permits, even after submitting applications. This, he said, created obstacles for families and individuals trying to build stable lives on land they have occupied for years.

“The previous Land Reform Act of 2013 only allowed the Government to allocate public land for charitable or public interest purposes,” Minister Mahe said. “But in places like Port Vila, families in areas such as Tokyo live on land without official titles. Their applications were often rejected because the law didn’t support converting public land for residential use.”

The newly passed amendment changes that by granting the Government power to allocate public land for residential purposes as well—particularly in urban and semi-urban areas like Luganville, Lakatoro, Norsup, and Sola.

According to Minister Mahe, the change was necessary because the Government has been losing out on significant revenue—estimated at over VT 200 million—due to its inability to formalize land arrangements with residents.

“This reform means people can now build their lives on land legally, and the Government can also generate revenue from lease agreements that were previously not permitted,” he said.

The law is expected to directly benefit thousands of Ni-Vanuatu currently living on untitled public land and marks a major shift in how the state manages its land assets.

Minister Mahe said the reform aligns with the Government’s broader vision to promote sustainable development and social equity by enabling more citizens to access land for housing, business, and personal development.