Hybrid land governance and customary tenure: Coexistence of communitarian and contractarian practices in Naraiyawa Village, Fiji

This paper examines how communitarian and contractarian principles coexist in land governance within Naraiyawa village, Namosi Province, Fiji. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, combining geospatial mapping of 1387 acres of Mataqali Nayalasa land with interviews from 37 farming households, the study explores how the customary practice of solesolevaki (collective labour) underpins a hybrid model that reconciles collective tenure with market-oriented farming. Results show that 92 % of households engage in both communal land management and private crop production. Despite deeper integration with market economies and digital tools, customary tenure remains secure, with no reported disputes or fears of dispossession. Land-use decisions are primarily driven by climate variability and market demand, but are mediated through culturally embedded systems that emphasise cooperation, equity, and resilience. The case challenges the assumption that customary and individualised governance are incompatible, showing how tradition can evolve to meet contemporary challenges without losing core values. Naraiyawa provides a compelling example of adaptive, community-led governance that integrates traditional ethics with national planning frameworks and the SDGs. The findings offer insights for policymakers seeking culturally grounded and climate-resilient land use strategies in the Pacific Islands and other customary tenure contexts.