The Fiji Times » Opinion

Editorial comment | Simply the best!

What a beauty that was! What a game! And the Queensland Reds would have been reminded very early on that they were in for the game of their lives, and a taste of Fijian passion. The fans lapped up the moment, and lived a dream on a great day for rugby. The skies had opened...

Launch of Vibe Collection | Unveiling the exclusive RAAVI

Invited dignitaries, glitterati and the elite corporate exuded the French Riviera vibe against the enchanting backdrop of Novotel Suva Lami Bay. Twilight silhouettes, stunning colour palettes and a sterling runway performance by the Mata Dance Fiji set the perfect scene for the launch of RAAVI: Where lifestyle meets luxury with a socio eco-conscious vision. “RAAVI”...

Girmit, division and Ratu Sukuna

In our last article I took us through the struggles of the Girmitiya, the Indian and the Indo-Fijian in attempting to attain political recognition and respect over the 144 years of his/her existence in this their adopted country – Fiji. What was highlighted is that the whole struggle was blighted by divisions among the Girmitiya...

Drua’s defining moment

Let’s take a look into the past games and replay all the memories of when the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua started its journey in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. A combination of two modes of sea transport from the olden days when our ancestors use the waqa vakaviti also known as the...

Are we failing our children

When children at upper-primary school level do not to know the meaning of “refugee”, we have a problem on our hands. This is a clear reflection of an education system failing our children. According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, there are over 32.5 million refugees. Whether children in Fijian schools could identify just one...

Quest for identity | ‘Fiji-Indians are a Pacific people’

The advocacy for Fiji Indians for their correct identity and proper treatment by New Zealand Government in general and Ministry of Pacific People in particular was evident in an overflowing Malaeola Community Centre on May 20, 2023, with over 1500 people. This Mangere, South Auckland venue was the celebration of 144th Anniversary of Fiji Girmit...

Ratu Mara: One with ‘the common touch’

In the wake of the recent general elections in Fiji, much public discussion and commentary has focused on the nation’s present political leaders and their standing within the community. What are the true hallmarks of a great leader? Intellect, vision, integrity, communication and decisiveness are expected attributes. But Rudyard Kipling speaks of yet another elusive...

The Great Council of Chiefs | ‘Cart before the horse’ or the horse itself?

My original title was “Reviving the GCC: the cart before the horse”. But there are indications that some forces within the PAP and SODELPA may want the GCC to be the horse pulling Fiji along, despite its poor record in looking after the narrower iTaukei interest. Is there any merit in the claim by Graham...

Drua’s golden boy | The rise of Iosefo Masi

Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki became a household name after delivering a sensational performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. After making a name for himself in 7s, Masi is turning heads in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. His hat-trick against the Moana Pasifika brought fans to their feet as they gave Fiji’s latest sensation a standing...

Letters to the Editor | Saturday, June 3, 2023

For the love of family! Motivation allows people to see beyond their jobs. This has proved true for Joneti Rokotuibau whose story was penned by Elena Vucukula via the People column (FT: 02/06). Sharing her story, Elena said that she switched vocation as she wanted to do better in life. Her dedication paid off as...

Editorial comment | Positive vibes for tourism

It is encouraging to note that tourism operators have expressed delight at the reassurance by Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka that there will be no drastic changes in the upcoming budget to disrupt tourism recovery. Today we learn from industry icon Tony Whitton that the news was reassuring for a sector that...

Pacific meets South Korea

Fresh off their meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi in PNG, Pacific leaders are this coming week gathering in Seoul for the inaugural South Korea-Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting. It is not hard to be sceptical about the value of these summits but, that said, they are not going to go away. Normally, they focus...

Letters to the Editor | Friday, June 2, 2023

A legacy is set While calling it a day, The Fiji Times sports reporter Paulini Curuqara set a legacy. Having spent valuable time with the Sports department and covering sporting events Paulini earned accolades for the work that she did. She described her journey as amazing with some amazing people (FT: 01/06). That’s the beauty...

Editorial comment | Facing challenges

The fact that only six of the eight operating theatres at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) are operational is a concern. It is worrying that the Health Ministry needs $400,000 to fix the two that are not working. Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong made the revelation at a media conference during World...

New gender strategy | Are all gender strategies created equal? Examining the new German, US and UK approaches (Part 1)

Earlier this year, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that the Albanese government would be developing a new international gender equality strategy. The current gender equality and women’s empowerment strategy, developed two years after the merger of AusAID and DFAT in 2013, was ground breaking for Australia in that it covered all areas of foreign...

Letters to the Editor | Thursday, June 1, 2023

The late statesman, a true son THE week-long Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day celebration concluded on a bright and high note at Albert Park on Monday. The week’s celebration to commemorate the first statesman for the country was well-received by many, considering that the celebration was taking place after more than a decade. I agree...

Editorial comment | Making things work

The fact that health services, or the lack of it, is a reason people are leaving for better opportunities abroad is a concern. Nadi private doctor Ahmed Shariff, speaking at a National Budget consultation, said a taxation system needed to be implemented for the health sector to improve and upgrade its services and facilities. The...

Menstrual health

Menstrual health is essential to gender equality and the wellbeing of women, adolescent girls and all people who menstruate. Yet the menstrual health needs of millions of girls and women continue to go unmet; and those who menstruate face restrictions on their mobility, choices, and participation in school and community life. As Menstrual Hygiene Day...

Letters to the Editor | Wednesday, May 31, 2023

A nail-biter in the end THE Moana Pasifika was seconds away from creating history (recording its first ever win in the Super Rugby Pacific competition) and breaking thousands of Fijian hearts, but former ACT Brumbies star player Christian Leali’ifano, missed the crucial conversion that would have seen the Pacific Islanders sneak ahead by a point....

Editorial comment | A united front

The revelation that threats of new drugs entering the Pacific region cannot be ruled out is a concern. It isn’t new though. This is why it is important that we listen to and appreciate what Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew is suggesting. Speaking at the Pacific Detector Dog Programme (PDDP) annual workshop last...

Nuclear water into Pacific Ocean

On the coastline of Bougainville’s capital, Buka, small dinghies carrying men back and forth from the ocean are a common sight. The people here rely on fish for their income. Their daily catch is proudly put up for sale at a local market, keen to attract the eyes of wandering customers. “Our culture is different...

Ratu Sukuna’s three-legged stool concept – its value for the 21st century

INTRODUCTION Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s life story — his personal background and upbringing, his education, military service, work and contribution as a senior officer in the British colonial Administration in Fiji — are generally well known. In my readings and research on Ratu Sukuna, there was one particular feature of him that stood out. Of...

Letters to the Editor | Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Defending round for Drua OUR Fijian Drua was given a lifeline when it narrowly won the game against Moana Pasifika. Now Drua fans are praying for the same magic to happen again this week. Looking at the points table, we have five teams whose performance this week will decide which team will sit on 7th...

Editorial comment | Vigilant parenting in digital age

The revelation that a non-governmental organisation is calling on parents to be vigilant with the content their children upload online should attract attention. In fact it is the way to go. There must be vigilance on the part of parents and guardians. The call by the NGO comes in the wake of a surge in...

Point of Origin | Jannif in the ’60s (Part 3): St Paul’s, UE year, Maori culture and the twins

The 1960s are not referred to as the swinging ’60s for no reason. The cultural revolution against the old-world ways by the new world youth truly heralded the age of Aquarius. From the technological advancements in computers, flight, and space exploration, to the fashion, political upheaval, rebellion and nonconformity, the Vietnam war protests, the environmental...

Beading her way to FJFW | Helen Oro – First Nation indigenous fashion designer of Canada

We at Fiji Fashion Week are preparing ecstatically to receive the first group of indigenous First Nations people of the Pelican Lake Band from Saskatchewan in the middle of Canada. Fashion and Jewellery Designer Helen Oro is from the Pelican Lake Tribe of the Bear Creek Clan. She is “thrilled to be the first indigenous...

Letters to the Editor | Monday, May 29, 2023

Souvenir currency TODAY we commemorate the life of one of Fiji’s most visionary leaders, Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna, after a lapse of 13 years. A grand salute to our Coalition Government for reviving Ratu Sukuna Day and the first Girmit Day. Allow me to propose that we have souvenir notes and coins in...

Editorial comment | A soldier, scholar and statesman

Today we celebrate the life of a special man. He was a man of many hats. He was soldier, a scholar, a chief and a statesman! Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka raises some fundamental issues in his message to the nation for Ratu Sukuna Day today. He draws our attention to what Ratu Sukuna did to...

Opinion

Letters to the Editor | Sunday, June 4, 2023