Tag: Fiji

By Samantha Magick A new detective novel set in Fiji brings to life a time rarely discussed beyond academic texts; the experiences of Indian labourers under Girmit. A Disappearance in Fiji follows Akal Singh, a 25-year-old Sikh police officer, sent to Fiji in disgrace after an indiscretion in his previous posting of Hong Kong. He […]

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, […]

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 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 […]

Last weekend saw the release of two of the biggest films of 2023: Oppenheimer and Barbie, known collectively as “Barbenheimer”.  As hundreds of thousands of cinemagoers around the world got together to watch both blockbusting releases, we sent our new film reviewer Ben Wheeler out to see what all the fuss was about… Oppenheimer (dir. […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti The Makete Fashion Show promises to be a night filled with culture, art, and talent, showcasing the incredible local talent to be found in Suva. Creative coordinator and Assistant Director of the Pacifique Artisans Collective, Shakira Ah-Koy Mcdonald, is continuing the legacy of the women in her family by encouraging and promoting […]

A day at Malamala Island By Ben Wheeler “Welcome to Paradise!” our sunny Fijian guide beams through the speaker system as our catamaran arrives at the picture perfect Malamala Island Resort. It’s a bold claim, but then Fiji has a habit of living up to this regularly-served slice of marketing jargon, astounding visitors with its […]

By Kite Pareti The use of renewables in Fiji has eased the load for Atunaisa Cawaki. The 69-year-old was a underground cable jointer for the-then Fiji Electricity Authority (now Energy Fiji Limited) between the 1970s and the 2000s. From Pacific Harbour to Labasa, Cawaki and a group of apprentices he supervised laid some of the […]

Local filmmakers finally getting screentime By Ben Wheeler “Every culture has the right and responsibility to present its own culture to its own people,” writes New Zealand filmmaker Barry Barclay.  “That responsibility is so fundamental it cannot be left in the hands of outsiders, nor usurped by them.” These words seem more relevant in Fiji […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti Yesterday marked a special day for the descendants of the Girmityas in Fiji as they commemorated not only the shared pain of their history, but also the deep friendship that they share with indigenous Fijians. In a moving traditional ceremony in Naivilaca village in Noco, Rewa, home of the people who rescued […]

Tourism Fiji says the Fiji Tourism Convention will be held on November 2nd this year.  The Convention will be bringing together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss and deliberate the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector.  At the recent Fijian Tourism Expo 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka shared the importance of […]

By Alipate Pareti Fiji’s Naibili Vatunisolo is one of the best parasports athletes in the South Pacific region, having won a bronze medal in discus at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She acquired her disability after undergoing knee surgery in 2010. In 2017, she represented Fiji in the Fazza Para-Athletics Championships in Dubai, and […]

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti The 10th FIPRA (Fiji Performing Rights Association) Awards 2023 promises to be glamourous celebration of the original work of Fijian artists, filled with good food, good company, and amazing live performances. FIPRA’s Chairman, Eremasi Tamanisau, says “the awards celebrate the many different composers, vocalists, instrumentalist artists, recording engineers, and musicians for sustaining […]

Tourism Fiji, Fiji Airways and Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider, have signed a three-year strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote Fiji as a destination in the Greater China market. The three parties will collaborate on travel marketing initiatives, products, and data, and fully optimise travel experience for tourists in Fiji. Fiji […]

Fiji Airways is set to begin direct flights between Canberra and Nadi, Fiji, with the option for capital city flyers to head onwards to Los Angeles, San Francisco and even Vancouver. The national airline will join officials from Canberra Airport and the ACT and Fiji governments on Friday April 14 to formally launch the flights, […]

Celebration was in the air this weekend as Fiji welcomed the first group of travellers from Hong Kong after a hiatus of almost three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coinciding with the Hong Kong 7’s, which is Fiji’s ‘home ground away from home’, the national carrier set off for Hong Kong and brought back […]

Twenty-two dedicated businesses and individuals were acknowledged at the 2023 ANZ Excellence in Tourism Awards last weekend. “When you consider that just over a year ago that despite healthy optimism, there was also so much uncertainty and pressure on the industry to deliver the best that it could once it reopened; it is a remarkable […]

In recognition of International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD), IHG Hotels and Resorts in Fiji have donated a total of F$3000 to support ongoing efforts for children with cancer in Fiji. IHG Fiji made the donation to WOWS Kids Fiji, a non-profit charity foundation for children with cancer. “This is a great opportunity for us to […]

By Ariela Zibiah Jason Chute’s collection of #realpacific: Photographs from Oceania pays homage to the Pacific region’s heterogeneity, a storytellers’ treasure trove. Chute captures warmth in his sunsets and seduction in the milky way which rises out of a Red Breach. The stillness of dawn in a dew-covered countryside, the abundance of our ocean, the […]

By Ariela Zibiah A political cartoon published in 1977 in Fiji has taken on a rather poignant meaning, as it could’ve been speaking to today’s political impasse. The cartoon depicts Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, whose party had just experienced its first loss after two elections, leaving on a boat (Leadership) and Siddiq Koya, the then […]

Writer: Anendra Singh Mother Earth speaks volumes when it comes to defining life, but the Reverend James Shri Bhagwan believes a more universal dialect does that better. In trying to put global existence on its axis from a Pacific Island perspective, Reverend Bhagwan goes deeper to elevate Mother Ocean’s role as the planet’s life source. […]

A significant number of superyachts will visit the South Pacific over the next two years, says Cynthia Rasch, director of Port Denarau, Fiji’s award-winning marina. Port Denarau Marina and Tourism Fiji attended the world’s premier Yacht Show in Monaco late September which drew around 35,000 guests featuring more than 450 top luxury yacht brands and […]

Passport services have been made easier for Fijian passport holders in the United States of America.  The Fijian Government through the Department of Immigration will install e-passport biometric equipment at the Fijian Trade Commission in San Francisco in two weeks time.  Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama assured the Fijian diaspora that services to Fijians will commence […]