These Regulations, made under the Native Lands Ordinance, grant powers to the Tuvalu Lands Officer to administer native estates of deceased persons in case of non-existence of a will or non-valid will. This Officer may also be appointed by will or otherwise to be the administrator in case of death of a native ordinarily resident in Tuvalu. The Regulations further define powers and duties of the administrator and specify, in the Schedule, fees for administration of estates and costs in relation with distribution of a deceased person’s estate to beneficiaries.

This Act consists of 63 sections divided into 11 Parts: Preliminary (I); Acquisition of mineral rights (II); Administration (III); Reconnaissance licences (IV); Prospecting licences (V); Mining licences (VI); Mineral rights and surface rights (VII); Financial (VIII); Withdrawal of applications (IX), Surrender and termination of mineral rights (X); Regulations (XI); Penalties and offences (XII); Records, information and arbitration (XIII).Mineral rights shall be granted only to citizens of Tuvalu or to a corporation that is incorporated by or under any law of Tuvalu (sect. 3).

This Act provides for the compulsory acquisition or acquisition by agreement of neglected land and the subsequent sale of such land to natives. “Neglected land” means land suitable for agricultural use which is not being fully and efficiently utilized for agricultural purposes. The owner of land may be required to show cause why land is not neglected land and the owner of land found to be neglected, may be required to ensure the utilization of such land.