Fiji
 

5 Jun 1871 - 10 Oct 1874                                 1877 - 1883                              1883 - 4 Jul 1908                           4 Jul 1908 - 8 May 1924                           8 May 1924 - 10 Oct 1970                          Adopted 10 Oct 1970   Map of Fiji Hear National Anthem "Meda Dau Doka" (God Bless Fiji) Text of National Anthem Adopted 1970 Constitution (28 Jul 1998; supended from 10 Apr 2009) Capital: Suva (Lavuka 1871-1877)  Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD); Fijian Pound (FJP) 1873-1969 National Holiday: 2nd Monday in Oct (1970) Independence Day Population: 931,741 (2008) GDP: $3.61 billion (2008) Exports: $1.2 billion (2006) Imports: $3.12 billion (2006) Ethnic groups: Fijian 57.3%  (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%,  European, other Pacific Islanders, and other 3.9% (2006) Total Active Armed Forces: 3,500 (2006) Merchant marine:  9 ships (2008) Religions: Christian 56.8% (of which Protestant 37.1% [Methodist 37%), independent Christian 8.5%, Roman Catholic 8.4%), Hindu 33.3%, Muslim (Sunni 4.2%) 6.9%, non-religious 1.3%, Sikh 0.7%, other 1% (2000) note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are mostly Hindu International Organizations/Treaties: ACP, ADB, APM, BTWC, C (suspended), CP, CTBT, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, KP, MIGA, NPT, NTBT, OPCW, PC, PCA, PIF (supended), UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Fiji Index Chronology  6 Feb 1643                Discovered (Taveubi and Vanua Levu) by Dutch                              Capt. Abel Tasman.  3 Jul 1774                Re-discovered (Vatoa)  by British Capt. James Cook.  4 May 1789                British Capt. William Bligh sights islands after                              the Bounty mutiny. 1792                       Bligh revisits the islands aboard H.M.S. Providence May 1840                   Visited by the U.S. Exploring Expedition under                              Capt. Charles Wilkes.  8 May 1865                Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti                              (comprising Bau, Bua, Cakaudrove, Lakeba,                               Macuata, Naduri).  2 May 1867                Split into Kingdom of Bau and Confederation of                              Lau (comprising Bua, Cakaudrove, Lau).  5 Jun 1871                Kingdom of Viti (Fiji) 10 Oct 1874                British colony. 1877 - 1952                Part of British Western Pacific Territories. 1942 - 1945                British military administration. 10 Oct 1970                Independence as Fiji (occasionally in official                              use: Dominion of Fiji).  6 Oct 1987                Republic of Fiji declared. 15 Oct 1987                Declaration of republic accepted by Britain. 25 Jul 1990                Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji 27 Jul 1998                Republic of the Fiji Islands  Fiji (since 1874)  Bau (1770-1874)  Bua (1800-1874)  Cakaudrove (1829-1874)  Lakeba (to 1874)  Macuata (1841-1874)  Rewa (1825-1874)  Confederacy  of Viti (1865-1867)  Kingdom of Bau (1867-1869) Confederation  of Lau (1867-1871) Viti (1871-1874) Rotuma (1700-1970)

Bau

Rulers (styled Tui Bua)
1800?                      Rawaike
18.. - 1847                Ra Masima                          (d. 1847)
1847 - 1848                Batinamu                           (d. 1848)
1848 - 18..                Tamavunisa Peter
18.. - 10 Oct 1874         George Vakawalitabua, Ra Masima

Rulers (styled Tui Cakau)
c.1829                     Vakamino
c.1829 - 1845?             Yavala
1845                       Lalabavalu Tui Kilakila (1st time) (d. 1854)
1845                       Ralulu
1845 - 1854                Lalabavalu Tui Kilakila (2nd time) (s.a.)
1854 - 1862                Raivalita
1862 - 10 Oct 1874         Qoleanavanua                       (d. 1879)

Rulers (styled Roko Sau and, after a year or more of rule, Tui Nayau)
.... - ....                Niumataiwalu
.... - ....                Uluilakeba I
.... - ....                Lubati Lakeba
.... - ....                Rasolo
.... - ....                Dranivia
.... - ....                Matawalu
.... - ....                Malani
1833 - 18..                Taltai Tupou
18.. - 18..                Uluilakeba II
18.. - 10 Oct 1874         Eroni Loganimoce

Rulers (styled Tui Macuata)
.... - 1841                Mamaca                             (d. 1841)
1841                       Roqiqi                             (d. 1841)
1841                       Gigi                               (d. 1841)
1841 - 1859                Bonaveidogo
1859 - 1861                Bete                               (d. 1861)
1861 - 10 Oct 1874         Ritova                             (d. 1875)

Rulers (styled Tui Dreketi)
1825 - 1839                Roko Tabaivalu                     (d. 1839)
1839                       Koroitamana                        (d. 1839)
1839 -  2 Oct 1839         Bativuaka                          (d. 1839)
1839                       Macanavai                          (d. 1839)
1839 - 1841                Cokanauto (1st time)               (b. c.1810 - d. 1851)
                           - jointly with -
1839 - 1840                Qaraniqio (1st time)               (d. 1855)
                           - jointly with -
1839 - 1846                Banuve                             (d. 1846)
1846 - 1851                Cokanauto (2nd time)               (s.a.)
1851 - 26 Jan 1855         Qaraniqio (2nd time)               (s.a.)
1855 - 18..                Vacant
18.. - 10 Oct 1874         B.V. Rabici

               8 May 1865 - 1867

President of the General Assembly
 8 May 1865 -  2 May 1867  Seru Epenisa Cakobau              (s.a.)

                2 May 1867 - 1869

King
 2 May 1867 - 1869         Seru Epenisa Cakobau               (s.a.)

                15 Feb 1869 - 1871

              5 Jun 1871 - 10 Oct 1874

King
 5 Jun 1871 - 10 Oct 1874  Seru Epenisa Cakobau               (s.a.)

Premiers
 5 Jun 1871 - 18 May 1872  Sydney Charles Burt
May 1872 - 23 Mar 1874     George Austin Woods                (b. 18.. - d. 1905)
23 Mar 1874 - 10 Oct 1874  John Bates Thurston (acting)       (b. 1836 - d. 1897)

Governors (13 Aug 1877 - 3 Jul 1952 also High Commissioners of British Western Pacific)

10 Oct 1874 - Jun 1875     Sir Hercules George Robert         (b. 1824 - d. 1897)

                             Robinson 

19 Aug 1875 - 1880         Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon         (b. 1829 - d. 1912)

20 Dec 1880 - 21 Jan 1885  George William Des Voeux           (b. 1834 - d. 1909)

                             (from 24 May 1883, Sir William Des Voeux)

21 Jan 1885 -  1 Jan 1887  John Bates Thurston (1st time)     (b. 1836 - d. 1897)

                             (acting)

 1 Jan 1887 - Feb 1888     Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell   (b. 1836 - d. 1899)

Feb 1888 -  7 Feb 1897     Sir John Bates Thurston (2nd time) (s.a.)

Mar 1897 - 1901            Sir George Thomas Michael O'Brien  (b. 1844 - d. 1906)

1901 - 10 Sep 1902         William Lamond Allardyce (acting)  (b. 1861 - d. 1930)

10 Sep 1902 - 11 Oct 1904  Sir Henry Moore Jackson            (b. 1849 - d. 1908)

11 Oct 1904 - 1910         Sir Everard F. im Thurn            (b. 1852 - d. 1932)

1910 - 21 Feb 1911         Charles Major (acting)

21 Feb 1911 - 25 Jul 1912  Sir Francis Henry May              (b. 1860 - d. 1922)

25 Jul 1912 - 10 Oct 1918  Sir Ernest Bickham Sweet-Escott    (b. 1857 - d. 1941)

10 Oct 1918 - 25 Apr 1925  Cecil Hunter Rodwell               (b. 1874 - d. 1953)

                             (from 3 Jun 1919, Sir Cecil Hunter-Rodwell)

25 Apr 1925 - 22 Nov 1929  Sir Eyre Hutson                    (b. 1864 - d. 1936)

22 Nov 1929 - May 1936     Sir Arthur George Murchinson       (b. 1878 - d. 1954)

                             Fletcher

May 1936 - Nov 1936        Cecil James Juxton Talbot Barton   (b. 1891 - d. 19..)

                             (1st time)(acting)    

28 Nov 1936 - Aug 1938     Sir Arthur Frederick Richards      (b. 1885 - d. 1978)

Aug 1938 - Sep 1938        Cecil James Juxton Talbot Barton   (s.a.)        

                             (2nd time)(acting)

16 Sep 1938 - 21 Jul 1942  Sir Harry Charles Luke             (b. 1884 - d. 1969)

21 Jul 1942 - 12 Jan 1944  Sir Philip Euen Mitchell           (b. 1890 - d. 1964)

12 Jan 1944 -  4 May 1944  J.D. Rankine (1st time)(acting)

 4 May 1944 - 23 Oct 1944  John Ferns Nicoll (1st time)       (b. 1899 - d. 1981)

                             (acting)

23 Oct 1944 -  1 Jan 1945  J.D. Rankine (2nd time)(acting)

 1 Jan 1945 - 21 Mar 1947  Sir Alexander William George       (b. 1899 - d. 1978)

                             Herder Grantham 

21 Mar 1947 -  8 Oct 1947  John Ferns Nicoll (2nd time)       (s.a.)

                             (acting)

 8 Oct 1947 -  6 Oct 1952  Sir Leslie Brian Freeston          (b. 1892 - d. 1958)

 6 Oct 1952 - 28 Oct 1958  Sir Ronald Herbert Garvey          (b. 1903 - d. 1991)

28 Oct 1958 -  6 Jan 1964  Sir Kenneth Phipson Maddocks       (b. 1907 - d. 2001)

 6 Jan 1964 - Dec 1968     Sir Francis Derek Jakeway          (b. 1915 - d. 1993)

Dec 1968 - 10 Oct 1970     Sir Robert Sidney Foster           (b. 1913 - d. 2005)

Queen¹

10 Oct 1970 -  6 Oct 1987  the Queen of the United Kingdom

Governors-general (representing the British monarch as head of state)

10 Oct 1970 - 13 Jan 1973  Sir Robert Sidney Foster           (s.a.)

13 Jan 1973 - 12 Feb 1983  Ratu Sir George Kadavulevu Cakobau (b. 1912 - d. 1989)

12 Feb 1983 -  6 Oct 1987  Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau (b. 1918 - d. 1993)

                             (resigned 15 Oct 1987)

Head of the Military Government

25 Sep 1987 -  5 Dec 1987  Sitiveni "Steve" Ligamamada Rabuka (b. 1948)            Mil

                             (interim to 7 Oct 1987)

Presidents

 5 Dec 1987 - 16 Dec 1993  Ratu Sir Penaia Kanatabatu Ganilau (s.a.)               Non-party

16 Dec 1993 - 29 May 2000  Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai         (b. 1920 - d. 2004)  Non-party

                             Tuimacilai Mara (acting to 18 Jan 1994)

Head of the Interim Military Government

29 May 2000 - 18 Jul 2000  Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama  (b. 1954)            Mil

                             (from 4 Jul 2000, Head of Government)

Presidents

18 Jul 2000 -  8 Aug 2009  Ratu Josefa Iloilo                 (b. 1920)            Non-party

                             (acting 1 Mar - 15 Mar 2001)

 5 Dec 2006 -  4 Jan 2007  Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama  (s.a.)               Mil

                             (acting for Iloilo)

30 Jul 2009 -              Ratu Epeli Nailatikau              (b. 1941)            Non-party

                             (acting [for Iloilo to 8 Aug 2009] to 5 Nov 2009)

 

 

Chief minister

20 Sep 1967 - 10 Oct 1970  Ratu Kamisese Kapaiwai             (s.a.)               FAP

                             Tuimacilai Mara

                            (from 1 Jan 1969, Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Mara)  

Prime ministers

10 Oct 1970 - 13 Apr 1987  Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai         (s.a.)               FAP

                             Tuimacilai Mara (1st time)

13 Apr 1987 - 14 May 1987  Timoci Uluivuda Bavadra            (b. 1934 - d. 1989)  FLP

14 May 1987 -  5 Dec 1987  Sitiveni "Steve" Ligamamada Rabuka (s.a.)               Mil

                             (1st time)

 5 Dec 1987 -  2 Jun 1992  Ratu Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai         (s.a.)               Non-party

                             Tuimacilai Mara (2nd time)

 2 Jun 1992 - 19 May 1999  Sitiveni "Steve" Ligamamada Rabuka (s.a.)               FPP-SVT

                             (2nd time)

19 May 1999 - 27 May 2000  Mahendra Pal Chaudhry              (b. 1942)            FLP

                             (hostage of Speight from 19 May 2000)

20 May 2000 -  9 Jul 2000  George Speight² (in rebellion)     (b. 1957)  

27 May 2000  (minutes)     Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (1st time)   (b. 1941)            FLP

                             (acting for Chaudhry)

27 May 2000 -  4 Jul 2000  Vacant

 4 Jul 2000 - 14 Mar 2001  Laisenia Qarase (1st time)(interim)(b. 1941)            Non-party

14 Mar 2001 - 16 Mar 2001  Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (2nd time)   (s.a.)               FLP

16 Mar 2001 -  5 Dec 2006  Laisenia Qarase (2nd time)         (s.a.)               FUP-SDL

                             (interim to 10 Sep 2001) 

 6 Dec 2006 -  5 Jan 2007  Jona Senilagakali (interim)        (b. 1929)            Non-party

 5 Jan 2007 -  9 Apr 2009  Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama  (s.a.)               Mil
                             (1st time)(interim)
11 Apr 2009 -              Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama  (s.a.)               Mil
                             (2nd time)(interim)

 

  ¹Full style:
(a) 10 Oct 1970 - 27 Nov 1970: "By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Relms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith";
(b) 27 Nov 1970 - 6 Oct 1987 (deposed on that date, resigned 15 Oct 1987):
"By the Grace of God Queen of Fiji and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth."

 

  ²from 19 May 2000 to 9 Jul 2000 Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry (s.a.) was taken hostage 

inside the parliament building in a coup orchestrated by Ilikini Naitini alias George Speight (s.a.). Speight declared himself 'Taking over executive power' and named Ratu Timoci Silatolu as an interim prime minister on 19 May 2000. Speight then installed Ratu Jope Seniloli (b. 1939) as interim President 20 May 2000 - 13 Jul 2000 and was in turn 'appointed' by Silatolu as prime minister on the same day; On 27 May 2000 the legal President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (s.a.), appointed Ratu Tevita Momoedonu (s.a.) as acting prime minister; as instructed, Momoedonu dismissed all ministers and immediately resigned to enable Mara to obtain complete executive authority. Army chief, Commodore Josaia Voreqe "Frank" Bainimarama (s.a.), dismissed Mara and assumed power himself as Head of the Interim Military Government on 9 May 2000. 

 

Party abbreviations: FLP = Fijian Labour Party (mainly ethnic Indian, social-democratic, est.1985); FPP-SVT = Fijian Political Party/Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (center-right, est.1992); FUP-SDL = Fijian United Party/Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (conservative, mainly ethnic Fijian, est.2001);

- Former parties: FAP = Fijian Alliance Party (center-right, 1960's-1987)

---

    Secessionst flag Oct - Dec 1987 

 8 Aug 1791                First sighted by British Capt. Edward Edwards aboard
                             the H.M.S. Pandora. 
14 Nov 1879                Following conflict between Wesleyans, ministered by an English 
                             missionary, and Catholics, ministered to by a French priest, 
                             the chiefs of Rotuma petitioned Great Britain for cession.
13 May 1881                Rotuma becomes a British possession, attached to colony of Fiji.
23 Jul 1970                Part of independent Fiji.
Oct 1987 - Dec 1987        Secessionist agitation by Henry Gibson ("Republic of Rotuma").

Head chiefs (styled fakpure)
.... - ....                Raho
.... - ....                Tokaniua
.... - ....                Fuge
.... - ....                Kaurfonua
.... - ....                Safoak
.... - ....                Savoiat
.... - ....                Olil
.... - ....                Fer
.... - ....                Tuipurotu
.... - ....                Tokaniua
.... - ....                Tuitafaga
.... - ....                Irava
c.1829                     Konao
c.1838                     Solovalu
c.1839                     Riamkau
c.1852                     Kausiliafe
c.1858                     Riamkau
c.1862                     Malafu

Spiritual chiefs (styled mua)
.... - ....                Lapatemasui
.... - ....                Tuitupu
.... - ....                Saparere
.... - ....                Mameata
.... - ....                Muatoirere
.... - ....                Ipiuri
.... - ....                Ifituga
.... - ....                Fisaitu
.... - ....                Niua
.... - ....                Saurotuma
.... - ....                Tafaki
.... - ....                Muamea
.... - ....                Tukumasui
Spiritual chiefs (styled sau)
.... - ....                Sauhani
.... - ....                Kaurifanua
.... - ....                Riamkau
.... - ....                Kaufose
.... - ....                Taio
.... - ....                Fonomanu
.... - ....                Varomua
.... - ....                Tiu
.... - ....                Marafu-Kauat
.... - ....                Irava
.... - ....                Tokoara
.... - ....                Asesekava
.... - ....                Mariseu
.... - ....                Sakanane
.... - ....                Tausia
.... - ....                Sautupuak
.... - ....                Paka
.... - ....                Ravak
.... - ....                Tokoniua
.... - ....                Titofag
.... - ....                Irava
.... - ....                Ravak
.... - ....                Tua-Oajo
c.1820                     Gagafag
c.1825                     Fatafesi
c.1829                     Fatenefau
c.1833                     Vuna
c.1838                     Fatafesi
c.1838                     Tamanava
c.1839                     Solovalu
c.1839                     Riamkau
c.1839                     Tirasoko
c.1840                     Otorovao
c.1841                     Ragafua
c.1843                     Vaurasi
c.1843                     Vavaoti
c.1845                     Ufat
c.1845                     Patipat vavahina
c.1845                     Furisefaua
c.1845                     Tirotorava
c.1846                     Marafu
c.1846                     Pogisemose
c.1846                     Tarupea
c.1846                     Sukamaso
c.1847                     Mua
c.1847                     Kausirafe
c.1847                     Toporotu
c.1848                     Tokaniua
c.1849                     Garagasau
c.1850                     Fakarufono
c.1850                     Matagatage
c.1851                     Manava
c.1851                     Sokagatau
c.1851                     Vavaoti
c.1851                     Tavao
c.1852                     Vaimanoko
c.1852                     Katoagatau
c.1854                     Kautane
c.1855                     Fonogarotoi
c.1856                     Tiporotu
c.1857                     Fonmanu
c.1858                     Tiu
c.1858                     Sarsartau
c.1859                     Taipo
c.1859                     Kauika
c.1860                     Faoriro
c.1860                     Farapapau
c.1860                     Saurorota
c.1860                     Ufamarata
c.1862                     Sarasortau
c.1862                     Teau
c.1864                     Ufagatau
c.1865                     Kavasakamua
c.1865                     Saurativa
c.1865                     Fotoafuru
c.1865                     Fonomanu
c.1866                     Jimi
c.1866                     Varea
c.1866                     Ravak
c.1866                     Maraa
c.1867                     Fonomanu
c.1867                     Vasea
c.1867                     Tavo
c.1867                     Sokagaitu
c.1868                     Ragafua
c.1868                     Irava
c.1868                     Hanifiro-Asoatemuri
c.1868                     Tuipenau
c.1869                     Tigarea
c.1869                     Vasea
c.1869                     Maraia
c.1869 - 1870              Suakamasa
British District officers
Nov 1879 - 1880            Arthur Gordon 
1880 - 1881                Hugh Romilly 
1881                       William Lamond Allardyce (acting)  (b. 1861 - d. 1930)
1881 - 1882                Charles Mitchell 
1882 - 1885                William Gordon 
1885 - c.1888              A.R. Mackay
1891 - c.1900              H.E. Leefe 
1902 - Dec 1923            Hugh MacDonald 
1915                       Farrington 
                             (acting for MacDonald)
Jan 1924 - Apr 1924        William K. Carew (1st time)
Apr 1924 - Aug 1925        W. Desmond Carew
1925 - 1928                W.E. Russell 
1928 - 1932                William K. Carew (2nd time)
1935 - 1938?               William B. Burrows                 (b. 1883 - d. 19..)
c.1938 - 194.              A.E. Cornish
1945 - 1949                Josefa Rigamoto 
Dec 1949 - Jan 1952        H.S. Evans 
1952 - 196.                Fred Ieli 
1960                       Paul Manueli
                             (acting for Ieli)
1964                       Aubrey L. Parke                    (b. 1925)
1964 - 1970                ....
Paramount chief (styled gagaj sau lagfatmaro)
Oct 1987 - Dec 1987        Henry Gibson 
                             (in rebellion; remained in New Zealand)