Stanley Simpson

Fiji Military Acknowledges Pain of Past Actions, Aims To Rebuild Trust, and Recognises Civilian Supremacy

Mara’s Installation a Revival of Fiji’s Chiefly Dynasties

As I watch the joy, emotion, immense effort and exodus of people journeying to Lau for the historic installation of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara commonly known as Roko Ului - I am reminded yet again about the twists and turns of Fiji's history, changing political and traditional power bases, shifting alliances, and how leadership and fortunes rise and fall over time.

The potential of Speight’s release on Truth and Reconciliation in Fiji

"It is the sentence of this court that you be taken from this court to a prison and then to a place of execution where you will be hanged," High Court Judge Michael Scott ruled on that dramatic day in February 2002.

Fiji vs All Blacks: Dreams vs Reality

Tomorrow's test match between the Fiji Water Flying Fijians and the All Blacks will be the first time in 40 years that the two sides face each other outside of New Zealand.

It’s about grinding them down says All Blacks captain

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett says he knows the Fiji Water Flying Fijians will bring their physicality to the test match in San Diego tomorrow but they will work to suffocate and stop their momentum.

Fiji Elections 2022: Which way will the numbers go?

Politics is a numbers game and if the trend from the last elections continues – the numbers are trending towards the Opposition, and it is the ruling FijiFirst party that has to take corrective action to steer the numbers their way. It’s also becoming clear to all parties that voter turnout will decide who wins this election, but no one is sure who will really benefit from a low voter turnout. CLICK ON HEADLINE FOR MORE

Niko Nawaikula wins case

The Court of Disputed Returns presided over by the Chief Justice Kamal Kumar and Justice Anjala Wati has ruled that the actions of the Supervisor of Elections in requiring Niko Nawaikula to give the name on his birth certificate was wrongful and that his decision to remove Nawaikula's name from the register of voters was unlawful and disproportionate. The ruling of the Court of Disputed Returns cannot be appealed. Click Here To View Ruling The court ruled that Nawaikula's name be reinstated with the effect from the date that the Supervisor removed his name, which is around the 21st July. CLICK ON HEADLINE FOR MORE

SODELPA fate in hands of Speaker

It will come down to how the Speaker interprets the situation and I feel his ruling could go either way. SODELPA president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau has written to the Speaker seeking to apply for fresh motions for the appointment of the Opposition Leader - stating that in voting for Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu in caucus and nominating his name in Parliament - "the party directive was disregarded." He wrote that "despite the communication of the party" to vote for Gavoka as Opposition leader " 14 of the MPs in caucus voted for Ratu Naiqama "disrespecting the party directive.” Section 63 (1) of the Fijian Constitution comes into play as it states that the seat of an MP becomes vacant if the member votes or abstains from voting in Parliament "contrary to any direction issued by the political party for which he or she was a candidate." Opposition whip Lynda Tabuya says in this Fiji Times article that Section 63 does not apply "because no voting took place in Parliament that day." Again it comes down to interpretation. What constitutes Parliament - just the main Parliamentary seating or floor or the whole Parliamentary premises i.e Did the caucus vote at the Opposition Office 'IN' Parliament. CLICK ON HEADLINE FOR MORE
Climate Change

Lessons in climate-driven relocation: The Narikoso case

Residents of Narikoso village in Fiji await relocation eight years on. Their experience provides valuable lessons for future relocation projects. CLICK ON HEADLINE FOR MORE
Amraiya Naidu

A principled career: Amraiya Naidu

Headhunted and hand-picked by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to take over the reins of Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) in 1984, Amraiya Naidu couldn’t afford to fail Fiji’s first Prime Minister and his ultimate boss; the ailing college that was formerly a bastion of iTaukei scholastic pride; and himself. At stake for him was the towering reputation he had built as Labasa College’s long-serving, “tenacious and uncompromising principal” who was revered Fiji-wide for cultivating the highest standards of academic achievement. Naidu was the answer to Mara’s prayers for RKS. CLICK ON STORY
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