Current population is around 1,500 people and this is declining through emigration to Honiara and the plantations of the Russell Islands. Most villages claim areas of around 57sq.km and hunting areas, which could be shared with other villages, of around 60sq.km. Most of the land cleared for gardens has secondary growth rather than primary forest on it. Traditional garden areas are cultivated for around nine months before being left fallow. The fallow period is around four years when the land is cleared and replanted.
Gardens provide a large proportion of the villager's subsistence food and are cash crop as well.
The main crops are root vegetables such as kumara, taro and pana. Slippery cabbage and paw-paw are also grown. Most villages produce coconut for sale. Up to thirteen species of birds are taken regularly for food. All villages harvest marine animals including clams, turtles and sharks.