Vanuatu's National Council of Chiefs says any move by the country to relax controls on land to attract investment must have its approval first.
The newly-appointed director general of the Finance Ministry, Simeon Athay, says landowners may need to consider this in order to get new investment.
The Government agrees there have been problems and says further land regulations may be needed.
But, Sandy Ishmael, the secretary of the National Council of Chiefs, says land is a very sensitive issue, and the council must be consulted first.
"For the Government to make any decision concerning any customary land, out in the village or in the rural areas, they have to consult the National Council of Chiefs first and then we give either yes or no before they can move into the rural areas."
Out in the rural areas we have the individual custom land owners, and we have to have their consents before any development can be invited in their area, otherwised we have land problems.
Sandy Ishmael says landowners may welcome investment, but the council hasn't been approached yet.
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