<P> With most of the country's land under customary ownership, the position of the matai is significant in modern - day politics in Samoa in terms of the nation's economic development, conservation, sustainability, tourism, national infrastructure and access to natural resources such as water, forestry, road access, agriculture and farming . </P> <P> An example in recent years is the matai from the village of Sili on the island of Savai'i turning down a government proposal to build a hydroelectric plant on village land because of environmental concerns . In contrast, the matai in Sasina have agreed with government support to an unprecedented 120 - year lease of prime oceanfront land to an American company to build a tourism resort estimated to cost US $450--500 million . In conservation, the villages of Uafato in the Va'a - o - Fonoti district at the east end of Upolu island and Falealupo at the west end of Savai'i have agreed to conservation covenants for their native forests . </P> <P> Much of the land under the government today was alienated or sold during colonialism and later came under the Samoa government when the colonial era ended . This includes large tracts of plantation land from the 19th century as well as later periods of colonial administration including German Samoa (1900--1914) followed by the New Zealand administration . </P> <P> This has resulted in ongoing court cases for land claims between matai and the government, such as that of the village of Satapuala over land by Faleolo International Airport, disputes which directly impact upon the country's national infrastructure . </P>

What is the role of chiefs in polynesian society