IB Reporter

By Alipate Pareti The Spartan Games has earned the reputation of being the world’s leading obstacle race course and it is coming to Fiji this year. Spartans were one amongst the most feared and formidable forces in the ancient Greek world, withstanding the Persian Empire to their last breath. You may recall learning about Sparta […]

By Ben Wheeler Sitting in the darkness at the final night of the Fiji Fashion Week, having already seen several designers parade their collections up, down, and all around the catwalk, I take a moment… I am enjoying this far more than I thought I would. Perhaps I am now a Fashionista? It would certainly […]

A blueprint for creativity, concentration and cultural exchange By Samantha Magick In the hills above Malaqereqere on the Coral Coast, a pocket-sized gallery is showing art unique to Fiji.  Much of the work on display is produced at Lancaster Press Fiji, a studio dedicated to making lithographic prints, and run by Peter Lancaster and Dinah Caroline. […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti V5’s jazzy, soulful, and bluesy songs have a sound that sets them apart from many Fijian performers. So it is a shock to learn that the band members, 15-year-old Lia Daunakamakama, her sister 18-year-old Jasmine, and their close friend Vika Tuisawau, are so young. Vika’s brother, Sevuloni is the fourth member, and […]

The Rise Beyond the Reef story By Ariela Zibiah Salanieta Utobota, and her husband can plan for their children to attend boarding schools and complete university education confidently, while sitting in their Bukuya home in the highlands of western Viti Levu. That they are able to plan for all four children’s education without having to […]

By Elizabeth Kolivuso and Samantha Magick Suva painter Jane Ricketts’ Memories exhibition at the Oceania Art Centre is a window into Fiji’s history and history-makers, iTaukei and Indo-Fijian culture, cityscapes and intimate depictions of her family. Ricketts’ elegant use of watercolours, oil paints and paper collage bring her subjects, and their stories, to vivid life. […]

Fiji Airways has launched its newest international route to New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea. “We are very excited about the prospects of this new route”, said Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andre Viljoen. The first flight to La Tontouta International Airport in Noumea will be on Thursday 30th November and starting 7th December, […]

Nanuku’s Sisilia Naisiga By Kite Pareti Sisilia Naisiga took up judo at the age of 15 in a journey that has taken her to Japan, the Olympics and now Nanuku Resort in Pacific Harbour. Naisiga hails from Macuata in Vanua Levu with maternal links to Naitasiri in Viti Levu.  “When I was attending Cathedral Secondary […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Kila Eco-Adventure Park is a destination that caters for thrill seekers as well as visitors who prefer gentle strolls and immersing themselves in Namosi’s verdant rainforest. The adventure park boasts luscious green vegetation, botanical gardens, mini waterfalls, picnic bures, a thrilling obstacle course, eco-walks, and a zip line. It is owned and […]

Fiji Airways’ newest Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft, named the Island of Vatulele, arrived into Nadi from Singapore last week, having flown the entire 8,520 km journey powered by a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend. This is the first time ever that Fiji Airways has operated a flight using a SAF blend. Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO, […]

By Samantha Magick As the daughter of an international public servant, Sonam Sapra has lived all over the world. That nomadic, rich lifestyle is reflected in her latest fabric collection, titled ‘Worldly’, which takes ornamentation from many of the countries she has lived in and reimagines them in a new way. “When you see it […]

As one of Fiji’s pre-eminent dance companies, the vibrant energy VOU brings to every performance feels like an extension of their founder’s personality. Sachiko Soro is a living embodiment of the energy, spirit, and mana the company is renowned for. VOU (meaning ‘new’ in iTaukei) is dedicated to delivering dynamic, visually-stunning and sometimes moving performances […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti When Jay Whyte was 13, he befriended a security guard at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort in Sigatoka, who introduced the Australian visitor and his family to an authentic Fijian experience up in the green terrain of Navosa. It was an experience that will forever be etched in his mind and heart. More […]

By Prerna Priyanka Self-taught artist, Jeke Viwalu Lagi’s new show Variant at the Gallery of Oceanian Art in Suva shows off his abstract expressionism in a new way, through the use of woodwork and paint. The exhibition at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus, is a captivating display of Lagi’s distinct woodwork creations […]

By Asenaca Uluiviti and Sadhana Sen Fiji recently lost Dr Meraia Taufa Vakatale, a monumental woman leader who broke many glass ceilings with her numerous firsts. As an educationalist, diplomat and politician, she profoundly impacted the lives of tens of thousands in Fiji and the region, particularly young women in politics and anti-nuclear activists. Dr […]

By Samantha Magick When Los Angeles based Jasmine Yee Joy Bland finished speaking to a group of Fijian highschoolers recently, she was swarmed by girls wanting to ask further questions and take selfies together. Bland had featured on a panel organised by Fiji Fashion Week, describing her career as a data analyst and opportunities in […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti During the hottest months in Fiji, sometimes all you want to eat is something cool and sweet. Tasty Island Treats Fiji can satisfy that craving and help you revisit the simple childhood joy of enjoying an iced popsicle. Tasty Island Treats Fiji was founded by Nakita Irvin, who was inspired by her […]

By Max Cross Mason James Lee has been a leading light in the Fiji art scene since his first exhibition in 2000. The self-taught, award-winning painter, muralist and interior designer, is of Chinese and iTaukei heritage. Born and raised in Suva, Mason feels a deep connection with his paternal family land in Bua on the […]

Fiji Airways welcomed its newest aircraft with a grand celebration in Nadi this week. The brand new aircraft named ‘Island of Beqa’ is the third A350 to join the Fiji Airways fleet. Company Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr Andre Viljoen said: “The A350 with its superior cabin, significant fuel savings and substantial cargo […]

The Fiji National University 2023 Hospitality Fair concluded on a high note after students participated in hair and beauty, housekeeping, cocktail mixing, and culinary competitions. Organised by the University’s National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC), the event held in Nadi last week involved student participants from NTPC and the College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Jack Isaac Junior’s woodcarving skill is an inherent talent that is shared by his clan, and their relationship with Jack’s of Fiji is an extraordinary one that has lasted generations.  “My grandfather and father used to sell their carvings at Jack’s Handicraft back when it was just a small shop,” Junior recalls.  […]

By Samantha Magick The Urata lookout just outside Savusavu has long been a favourite place for travellers on the Labasa-Savusavu highway to break their journey for a spectacular photo and some fresh air. But its popularity meant that it had also become a place that was despoiled by the litter they left behind. Now the […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti It was a beautiful morning in the capital, a perfect day for a walk, and I’m heading off to one of Peter Sipeli’s guided walks of Suva. I thought I might be about to relive the tedium of my childhood history lessons, however, the two hours with Sipeli have made me question […]

By Samantha Magick On the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico, it can feel like the most picturesque things are the most damaging. For example, the vibrantly painted trajineras party boats? They’re polluting the delicate waterlands, say local scientists. The green channels that have you padding through what appears to be a landmass? That’s lenteja de agua (water […]