The National Trust of Fiji (NTF), a statutory body funded jointly by the Fiji Government, independent donors and multi-lateral projects, was established in 1970 to provide for the protection of Fiji’s natural, cultural and national heritage. It is the only national trust of the South Pacific region and Specializes in both the natural and cultural aspects of heritage conservation. The NTF currently protects a total of 14 heritage sites within the Fiji islands. Of these 14 sites, five are natural and four are cultural, while the remaining five are community conservation projects facilitated by the trust. The legislative mandate for the NTF lies with the 

• National Trust Act (Cap 265) of 1978
• Fiji Government’s National Heritage Policy in 1996 
• National Trust Amendment Act of 1998

In 1999, with the establishment of the Department of Culture and Heritage, the NTF, together with the Fiji Museum and the Fiji Arts Council, became key organisations for the newly formed department. The department was then under the portfolio of the Minister for Women, Culture and Social Welfare.  In September 2001, the department was moved under the portfolio of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Heritage, and Civil Aviation. However in August 2002 the department was moved again to the Ministry of Fijians Affairs. This partnership remained until January 2008 when the department was again moved under the portfolio of the Minister for Education, where it currently remains.

The NTF has a very broad approach in its attempt to protect Fiji’s heritage. Its projects involve a wide range of activities, including heritage conservation, biodiversity conservation, scientifically based experiments, people-focused and culturally sensitive surveys, economically sound initiatives and strategic partnerships with other organizations and communities. The NTF also has a strong emphasis on conservation work in Fiji. This involves working with resource owners under customary ownership, community-led resource management, resource-use planning and zoning (Govt.), conservation “without boundaries” and small scale “building blocks” conservation.