Nukuʻalofa – The Ministry of Lands has issued a public notice inviting members of the public to come forward if they wish to dispute land that was returned to the government following legal rulings, offering affected individuals an opportunity to formally challenge those outcomes.
The development comes amid an ongoing investigative reform by the Ministry into alleged corruption and abuse in land dealings, which officials say could lead to former and current staff members—and members of the public—being brought to justice.
As Kaniva News has previously reported, the Ministry has been among the most frequently criticised government departments, often drawing public complaints and dissatisfaction.
Past coverage by this outlet relating to the Ministry has consistently generated strong reactions on social media, with many readers sharing their personal experiences and concerns about its services.
In a notice shared publicly by Taniela Fusimalohi, the Minister of Lands, the Ministry clarified that the call relates to town allotments and hereditary land allotments that were returned to the government as a result of court decisions or other judicial or administrative processes.
The Minister said individuals who experienced such land returns and believe the legal rulings were not appropriately applied in their specific cases may now submit written disputes for review.
The Ministry has provided a dedicated email address for submissions and inquiries — complaints@lands.gov.to — as part of what it describes as a process to allow affected landholders to raise objections and seek clarification over past decisions made following legal rulings.
Land Law Timeframes
The Ministry did not specify how many cases may fall under the notice, nor did it outline a deadline for submissions.
The announcement also raises questions about how the law’s time limits on land disputes may apply in such cases.
Under Section 170 of the Tonga Land Act, legal action over land disputes is generally subject to a strict 10‑year limitation period, starting from when the right to bring the action first arose.
The provision is intended to provide certainty and finality in land ownership, but it remains unclear whether—and how—it may affect individuals now seeking to dispute land returns that occurred years earlier following legal rulings.
However, past court decisions indicate that the statutory time limit has generally been applied only to actions brought before the courts, suggesting that land returns processed outside the court system may not be subject to the same restriction.
