1 Commencement:22 September 2008 
 
REPUBLIC OF VANUATU 
 
KAVA ACT 
NO 7 OF 2002 
 
Arrangement of Sections 
 
PART 1 - INTERPRETATION  
1 Definitions 
 
PART 2 – PROTECTION OF KAVA IN VANUATU 
 2 Organic cultivation  
3 Varieties of kava and kava products for sale on local market 
4 Labeling for local market 
5 Who can sell kava or kava pr oducts on the local market? 
 PART 3 – PROTECTION OF KAVA FOR EXPORT 
 
6 Varieties of kava and kava products for export 7 Labeling for export 
8 Who can export kava or kava products? 
9 Additional export protections 
 
PART 4 - MISCELLANEOUS  
10 Offence 
11 Inspection powers etc 
12 Regulations and orders 
13 Commencement  
Schedule 
 
-------------------------------------------------------- 
 
REPUBLIC OF VANUATU 
 
Assent: 31/12/2002 
Commencement: 22/09/2008 
 
KAVA ACT 
NO 7 OF 2002 
 
An Act to regulate the cultivation, sa le and export of kava and kava products 
  
 2 Be it enacted by the President and Parliament as follows- 
 
PART 1 - INTERPRETATION 
 
1 Definitions  
In this Act unless the contrary intention appears: 
 
kava means: 
 
(a) plants of the species, Piper methysticum ; or 
 
(b) the traditional beverage obtained by cold water extraction of the 
plant’s underground organs. 
 kava products  include dried kava, bark, pe elings and makas of kava. 
 
makas means the residues remaining after the cold water extraction of the kava 
plant’s underground organs to obtain the traditional beverage.  
 medicinal  kava means a variety of kava listed in Table 2 of the Schedule and 
includes their synonyms on other islands. 
 Minister  means the Minister res ponsible for agriculture. 
 
nobles kava  means a variety of kava listed in Table 1 of the Schedule and 
includes their synonyms on other islands. 
 organic means free of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and other residues. 
 
person includes any statutory body, company or  association of persons corporate 
or unincorporate. 
 two days kava  means a variety of kava listed in Table 3 of the Schedule and 
includes their synonyms on other islands. 
 
wichmannii  kava means a variety of kava listed in Table 4 of the Schedule and 
includes their synonyms on other islands.  
PART 2 – PROTECTION OF KAVA IN VANUATU 
 
2 Organic cultivation 
 A person is to cultivate kava in Va nuatu using only organic methods of 
cultivation. 
 
3 Varieties of kava and kava produc ts for sale on local market 
  
 3 (1) A person must not sell kava, or offer kava for sale, in Vanuatu unless 
it is nobles kava or medicinal kava that: 
 
(a) was planted at least 3 years be fore it was harvested; and  
 
(b) was cultivated using organic methods of cultivation. 
 
(2) A person must not sell kava produc ts, or offer kava products for sale, 
in Vanuatu unless they have been prod uced from nobles kava or medicinal 
kava that:  
(a) was planted at least 3 years be fore it was harvested; and  
 
(b) was cultivated using organic methods of cultivation. 
 (3) To avoid doubt, a person must not sell or offer for sale in Vanuatu any of 
the following: 
 
(a) wichmannii kava; 
 
(b) two days kava; 
 
(c) kava products produced from wichmannii kava or two days kava, 
whether or not in combination with any other variety of kava. 
 
(4) Nothing in this Act is to be taken to prevent a person from cultivating any 
variety of kava for personal use.  
 4 Labelling for local market  
 
A person must not sell or offer for sale in Vanuatu any bag, container or other 
receptacle containing kava or kava products unless the name of the variety and the 
island of origin of the kava  is clearly marked on it. 
 
5 Who can sell kava or kava pr oducts on the local market? 
 
A person must not sell or offer for sale in  Vanuatu kava or ka va products unless 
the person is:  
(a) an indigenous ni-Vanuatu; or 
 
(b) a local company within the meaning of the Companies Act [CAP 
191] that has at least 51% of its shar es (voting or otherwise) owned or 
controlled by persons who are indigenous ni-Vanuatu. 
 
PART 3 – PROTECTION OF KAVA FOR EXPORT 
 
6 Varieties of kava and kava products for export  
 4  
(1) A person must not export kava from Vanu atu unless it is nobles kava that: 
 
(a) was planted at least 5 years be fore it was harvested; and  
 
(b) was cultivated using organic methods of cultivation. 
 
(2) A person must not export kava produc ts from Vanuatu unless they have 
been produced from nobles kava that: 
 
(a) was planted at least 5 years be fore it was harvested; and  
 
(b) was cultivated using organic methods of cultivation.  
 
(3) Subject to subsection (4), a person must not export any of the following 
from Vanuatu: 
 
(a) two days kava; 
 
(b) medicinal kava; 
 
(c) wichmannii kava;  
 
(d) kava products produced from two da ys kava, medicinal kava or 
wichmannii kava, whether or not in co mbination with any other variety of 
kava.  
 
(4) A person may export from Vanuatu: 
 
(a) two days kava or medicinal kava; or 
 
(b) kava products made from either of both of these varieties of kava; 
 
only if the person has been requested to do so by a person outside Vanuatu 
and the proposed export complies wi th the requirements of the Plant 
Protection Act No. 14 of 1997 a nd any other relevant Act. 
 
7 Labelling for export  
A person must not export fr om Vanuatu any bag, contai ner or other receptacle 
containing kava or kava produc ts unless each of the following is clearly marked 
on it: 
 
(a) the name of the variety of the kava; 
 
(b) the island of origin of the kava; 
 
(c) the distinct organs of the kava;  
 5  
(d) the words “Original Vanuatu Kava”. 
 
8 Who can export kava or kava products? 
 (1) A person must not export kava or  kava products from Vanuatu unless the 
person is: 
 
(a) a citizen of Vanuatu; or 
 
(b) a local company within the meaning of the Companies Act [CAP 
191] that has at least 51% of its shar es (voting or otherwise) owned or 
controlled by persons who are citizens of Vanuatu. 
 
(2) This section does not apply to an individual or company if immediately 
before the commencement of this section that individual or company was legally 
entitled under or by any Act or subordina te legislation to export from Vanuatu 
kava or kava products. 
 
9 Additional export protections  
A person must not export from Vanuat u or exchange with a person outside 
Vanuatu any of the following:  
(a) stumps, shoots, growing buds, late ral branches and other planting 
materials of kava; 
 
(b) fresh organs of kava (eg roots or  stumps) that could be used for 
propagation; 
 
(c) other propagating materials of kava. 
 
PART 4 - MISCELLANEOUS 
 
10 Offence 
 
A person who contravenes a provision of this Act is guilty of an offence 
punishable on conviction by a fine not ex ceeding VT 500,000 or imprisonment for 
a period not exceeding 3 months, or both.  
 
11 Inspection powers etc 
 
For the purposes of ensuring compliance wi th this Act, an officer appointed under 
section 9 of the Plant Pr otection Act No. 14 of 1997 ma y exercise any of the 
powers set out in section 14 of that Act in relation to kava or kava products (eg an 
officer can inspect a local farmer’s kava crop and test for pesticides). 
 
12 Regulations and orders  
 6  
(1) The Minister may make regulat ions prescribing all matters: 
 
(a) required or permitted by th is Act to be prescribed; or 
 
(b) necessary or convenient to be pr escribed for carrying out or giving 
effect to this Act. 
 
(2) The Minister may by order amend the Schedule. 
 13 Commencement 
 
This Act commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette. 
 
SCHEDULE 
Section 1 
 
Table 1 
Nobles kava 
 
Item Variety 
 Origin 
1 Melomelo 
 Ambae 
2 Asiyai 
Biyaj 
 Aneityum 
3 Palimet 
Miela 
Olitao 
 Emae 
4 Kelai 
 Epi 
5 Ge wiswisket 
Ge gusug 
 Gaua 
6 Borogoru 
 Maewo 
7 Silese 
 Malekula 
8 Melmel 
Borogu 
Sese 
 Pentecost 
9 Urukara 
Bir Sul 
Bir Kar Santo  
 7 Palarasul 
Palasa 
Poivota 
 
10 Pia 
Ahouia 
Leay 
Amon 
 Tanna 
11 Puariki 
Pualiu 
 Tongoa 
12 Naga miwok 
Ge vemea 
 Vanua Lava 
 
Table 2 Medicinal kava 
 
Item Variet
y Ori gin 
1 Mologugei Ambae Eas t 
2 N gwangaru Ambae Eas t 
3 Bisuiboe Ambae West 
4 Mavute Ambae West 
5 Ketche Aneit yum 
6 Mokom Aneityum 
7 Riki Aneityum 
8 Oleikaro Emae 
9 Pualap a Emae 
10 Ulutao Emae 
11 Ba gavia 1 E pi 
12 Bagavia 2 Epi 
13 Meoler E pi 
14 Pakaewa E pi 
15 Purumbue Epi 
16 Tinbokai E pi 
17 Liki Erroman go 
18 Pic Erromango 
19 Pore Erroman go 
20 Bumalotu Maewo North 
21 Hawerar a Maewo North 
22 Malokai Maewo North 
23 Raimelmelo Maewo North 
24 Resres Maewo North 
25 Maloglelab Malekula North 
East  
 8 26 Maloglaslas Malekula North 
East 
27 Nemleu Malekula North 
East 
28 Tafandai Malekula North 
West 
29 Baan Malekula North 
West 
30 Daou Malekula North 
West 
31 Ta poka Malo 
32 Hi g Mere Lav a 
33 Lab Mota Lav a 
34 Na game Mota Lav a 
35 Loa N guna 
36 Malakes a Nguna 
37 Pilake N guna 
38 Meihang Paam a 
39 Teiha Paam a 
40 Toh Paam a 
41 Borogu tememe Pentecost Central 
42 Bukuli t Pentecost Central 
43 Boro gu temit Pentecost Central 
44 Borogoru maita Pentecost North  
45 Borogoru memea Pentecost North  
46 Vabu gai Pentecost North  
47 Bugolita Pent ecost North  
48 Goro goro ente pal Pentecost South  
49 Goro goro enteme t Pentecost South  
50 Kerakra Pentecost South 
51 Tamaevo Pentecost South  
52 Ai gen Tanna Central 
53 Mita Tanna Central 
54 Saosao Tanna Central 
55 Tuan Tanna Central 
56 Kiskisnia n Tanna Central 
57 Yalon Tanna Central 
58 Awor Tanna Central 
59 Malamal a Tanna Central 
60 Paam a Tanna Central 
61 Wa pil Tanna Central 
62 Pusan Tanna South Eas t 
63 Maran gmaran g Tanna South Eas t 
64 Kokoffe Tanna South Eas t 
65 Kowariki Tanna South Eas t 
66 Malamal a Tanna South Eas t  
 9 67 Paam a Tanna South Eas t 
68 Ewo Tongoa 
69 Metolei Ton goa 
70 Tau Ton goa 
71 Nimau Tongoa  
72 Buala p Ton goariki 
73 Buarik Ton goariki 
74 Milake Tongoariki 
75 N gako Ure parapara 
76 N gasien Ure parapara 
77 Nol Ureparapara 
78 Gemime Vanua Lava 
79 Ranranre Vanua Lava 
 
 
Table 3 Two days kava 
 
Item Variety Origin 
1 Gawoboe Ambae Eas t 
2 Ronriki Ambae Eas t 
3 Tarivoravora Ambae Eas t 
4 Valeiboe Ambae Eas t 
5 Qoro Ambae Eas t 
6 Sulusulu Ambae Eas t 
7 Ganono Ambae Eas t 
8 Garaeto Ambae Eas t 
9 Makaru Ambae Eas t 
10 Molo gomavute Ambae Eas t 
11 Tarimavute Ambae Eas t 
12 Taritamaewo Ambae Eas t 
13 Memea Ambae West 
14 Mindo Ambae West 
15 Rogorogopula Ambae West 
16 Tolu Ambae West 
17 Tari Ambae West 
18 Tariporo Ambae West 
19 Lakla k Ambr ym North 
20 A peg Aneit yum 
21 Nisginekrai Aneityum 
22 Tcha p Aneit yum 
23 Nidinolai Aneityum 
24 Metche Aneityum  
25 Ya g Aneit yum  
26 Nakasara Emae 
27 Meawmelo Epi  
 10 28 Lo E pi 
29 Mage Epi 
30 Kaviui E pi 
31 Miti ptip E pi 
32 Vil a Epi 
33 Wari E pi 
34 Vi p E pi  
35 Meawlake Epi South  
36 Meawmei a E pi South  
37 Avi a Erroman go 
38 Vil a Erromango 
39 Gumaito Maewo North  
40 Dauman gas Maewo North  
41 Rairairegi Maewo North  
42 Tari paraus Maewo North 
43 Tufa gi Maewo North  
44 Tumpuinakapmato Maewo North  
45 Tarihani Maewo North  
46 Rongrongvula Maewo South  
47 Tarivarusi Maewo South  
48 Vabu Maewo South  
49 Mologubanano Maewo South and 
Pentecost North 
50 Mologubanga Maewo South and 
Pentecost North  
51 Malokro k Malekula North Eas t 
52 Pade Malekula North 
West 
53 Malatuwas Malekula North 
West 
54 Nalimliune Malekula North 
West 
55 Poua Malekula North 
West 
56 Vasa Malo 
57 Ro ge Malo 
58 Namtemlao Mota Lav a 
59 Nipunstaban Mota Lav a 
60 Tarivarus Mota Lav a 
61 Take Pentecost Central 
62 Tabal Pentecost Central 
63 Malmalbo Pentecost Central 
64 Ron grongwul Pentecost Central 
65 Abogae Pentecost Central 
66 Fabulakalak a Pentecost Central 
67 Lalah k Pentecost Central  
 11 68 Renkaru  Pentecost Central 
69 Sese Pentecost North  
70 Vabula gaga Pentecost North  
71 Rara Pentecost North  
72 Baraeto Pentecost North  
73 Rabualeva Pentecost North  
74 Kavi k Pentecost North  
75 Mangaru Pentecost North  
76 Ron grongvula Pentecost North  
77 Sese laralara Pentecost North 
78 Tarivarusi Pentecost North  
79 Sese Pentecost South  
80 Takere Pentecost South  
81 Lalah k Pentecost South  
82 Tarivarusi Pentecost South  
83 Marino Santo Central 
84 Merei Santo Central 
85 Fock Santo Central 
86 Malogro Santo Central 
87 Thyei Santo Central 
88 Tude y Santo Central 
89 Yevoet Santo Central 
90 Palavoke Santo South Wes t 
91 Pirimerei Santo West 
92 Aheyoke Santo South West 
93 Palisi Santo West 
94 Woko Santo West 
95 Awke Tanna Central 
96 Fare Tanna Central 
97 Kalawas Tanna Central 
98 Tikisikis Tanna Central 
99 A pin Tanna Central 
100 Gnare Tanna Central 
101 Fiji Tanna Central 
102 Pentecos t Tanna Central 
103 Rhowen Tanna Central 
104 Tudey Tanna Central 
105 Vil a Tanna Central 
106 A pol Tanna South Eas t 
107 Kowarwar Tanna South Eas t 
108 Rin g  Tanna South Eas t 
109 Tapuga Tanna South Eas t 
110 Pentecos t Tanna South Eas t 
111 Tude y Tanna South Eas t 
112 Vil a Tanna South Eas t 
113 Oleikaro Tongoa  
 12 114 Raro Ton goa 
115 Nakasara Tongoa 
116 Mae t Ton goariki 
117 Elot Ton goariki 
118 Lulu Tongoariki 
119 Hin Torres 
120 Hin yanyie Ure parapara 
121 Ngawo Ureparapara 
122 Tarivarus Ure parapara 
123 Gelava Vanua Lava 
124 Nambalao Vanua Lava 
125 Tarvarus Vanua Lava 
126 Wisaban a Vanua Lava 
 
Table 4 
Wichmannii kava   
Item Variet
y Ori gin 
1 Vambu Ambae Eas t 
2 Tchai Aneityum 
3 Bamboo Maewo North  
4 Buara Maewo North 
5 Tangurlav a Maewo North  
6 Kau Ton goa 
7 Vambu Vanua Lava 
8 Giemonlagakris Vanua Lava 
9 Bo gong Pentecost Central 
10 Mele lia p Pentecost Central 
11 Sini Bo Pentecost Central 
12 Bo gongo Pentecost North 
 
---------------------------------------------