News
-
Fiji Passport Backlog Triggers New Branch and Online Booking Push
Fiji is experiencing a surge in passport applications, with authorities racing to keep up. New measures—stock boosts, a Nakasi branch, and an upgraded online booking system—promise faster processing and better access for travelers in the months ahead.
-
Labasa Airport to Close for Six Weeks in 2025 for Upgrades
Labasa Airport gears up for a six-week shutdown in 2025 to push forward crucial upgrades. As residents and local businesses brace for disruption, a socioeconomic survey will map the potential impacts and chart a path toward improved travel and future growth. A major step toward modernising the airport and boosting the region’s economy.
-
Bamboo Homes in Fiji: Resilience Against Cyclones and Lower Building Costs
Bamboo is stepping into the spotlight as a resilient, eco-friendly building option for Fiji. Advocates say it could withstand severe weather while cutting construction costs, potentially opening up more affordable, sustainable housing. With new standards and building codes in the works, a greener future for Fiji’s homes could be on the horizon.
-
Fiji Weighs Proportional Open-List Reform to Boost Local Representation
Could Fiji’s electoral map be reshaped to give local representation real teeth? A proposed Proportional Open List Constituency System (POLCS) envisions constituencies electing two MPs—an open seat and a women-only seat—plus a proportional layer that strengthens party fairness. With an easier ballot and transparent local tallies, the plan is stirring debate about governance, accountability, and…
-
Two Dead in Queens Road Crash as Road Toll Rises Ahead of Festive Season
Two lives were lost in a tragic crash on Queens Road, as the year’s road toll climbs. Officials are urging heightened vigilance and safer driving ahead of the festive season.
-
Fiji School Canteens under Scrutiny as Enforcement Gaps Challenge Healthy Eating
Fiji’s school canteens are at the heart of a growing health debate. With enforcement gaps and limited staffing, advocates say stronger nutrition standards and school-led oversight could steer children toward healthier choices—even as external food options keep the challenge alive.
-
Fiji Launches Nationwide Diabetes Awareness Push Ahead of World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day 2025 sparks a sweeping Fiji-wide outreach—from villages to schools and workplaces—focusing on screening, awareness, and early detection. A message of hope rests on simple daily choices and community action to curb a growing health challenge.
-
Fiji Sugar Crisis: Chaudhry Backs Cane Drivers as Lautoka Mill Struggles Deepen
Disruptions in Fiji’s sugar season are forcing farmers and cane lorry drivers to the edge near the Lautoka Mill. A high-profile visit by Mahendra Chaudhry spotlights long queues, makeshift meals for workers, and growing calls for reform from industry voices. The unfolding situation hints at tough choices and a push for change that could reshape…
-
Fiji Probes Floating Litter Near Qamea Island
Fresh concerns over coastal litter in Fiji prompt a swift government response and community-driven cleanup. Investigations are underway as authorities push for stricter waste management and greater public awareness to protect Fiji’s precious marine ecosystems.
-
Two Die in Naboutini Queens Road Crash as Road Fatalities Rise
Tragedy on Queens Road in Naboutini as a head-on crash leaves two dead. Investigators are probing the circumstances as road fatalities rise this year, with concerns mounting ahead of the festive season.
-
Palau Meeting Highlights Pacific Push for Climate Financing Amid Dwindling Resources
Regional leaders convene in Palau to tackle climate financing gaps and push for faster, more integrated disaster resilience in the Pacific. With ambitious plans ranging from resilience funding to the Blue Pacific strategy, the talks hint at a new era of cooperation to safeguard communities and the environment against mounting climate threats.
-
Fiji launches VAKA Forum to rethink landfills and boost recycling
Fiji takes a bold step toward a cleaner future as the Pacific Recycling Foundation launches the VAKA Forum to move beyond landfills toward real recovery and recycling. A broad dialogue—from councils to communities—aims to turn waste into opportunity and rethink the country’s sustainability path.
-
Fiji Reopens Public Works Department to Boost Rural Road Connectivity
A revived Public Works Department signals a new era for Fiji’s rural connectivity, promising faster road upgrades and smarter cooperation to lift remote communities.
-
US Government Reopens After Historic Shutdown, Yet Political Divides Persist
After the longest U.S. government shutdown, operations resume—but the deep divisions that caused the crisis linger. Behind the reopening are clashes over spending, health subsidies, and political power that could spark another showdown. As millions await back pay and the next budget fight looms, the future looks anything but settled.
-
FTUC Slams Fiji Panel Over Bias in Employment Relations Bill 2025 Review
Friction is rising around Fiji’s Employment Relations amendments as a major union coalition accuses a parliamentary committee of rushing hearings and skewing toward employers. Questions of independence, transparency, and worker input dominate the debate, with private consultations and shifting agendas fueling the critique. As submissions extend toward year-end, the path forward remains disputed and highly…
-
Fiji Delays Back-to-School Aid Amid Misuse Concerns
A new approach to back-to-school aid aims to ensure every dollar supports students as prices for school essentials rise this season. With enhanced monitoring to prevent misallocation, the policy shift targets timely support for families preparing their children for the new academic year.
-
Fiji’s Housing Crisis Deepens as Leadership Shortages Stall Resettlement
Fiji is navigating a web of housing insecurity, land rights, and a widening leadership gap that touches everyday lives. As pilot redevelopments and relocation talks unfold, the piece questions how government, traditional authorities, and communities can collaborate to shape fair, lasting solutions. A glimpse of hopeful steps amid urgent needs.
-
Fearless Advocacy Sparks Pacific Push for Climate Justice at Regional Human Rights Conference
Fearless advocacy takes center stage as regional leaders gather in Nadi to tackle some of the Pacific’s most pressing human rights and climate justice challenges. The talks emphasize independent institutions, localized climate responses, and protecting the most vulnerable—united by a shared commitment to advancing human rights across the Asia Pacific.
-
Vodafone Sugar Festival Contestant Urges Parents to Watch Their Kids
A young contestant shares a candid plea for family time and better guidance for the next generation. With a traditional look in the works, she hints at a broader mission beyond pageantry—empowering women and sparking meaningful community conversations. This celebration promises more than costumes and crowns; it’s a moment of change.
-
Fiji Warns About Online Prize Promotions and Hidden Fees
Online prize promos and membership traps are drawing sharp scrutiny for hidden fees and opaque winner rules. From tiered memberships to constant requests for data, these schemes can mislead even careful shoppers—watch for the red flags.
-
Fiji Expands Back-to-School Aid Verification: School Heads Now Sign Forms
New rules for back-to-school support could speed up the verification process. Heads of schools can now sign eligibility forms alongside Justices of the Peace, a change aimed at helping families—especially in rural and maritime communities—get support faster.
-
World Diabetes Day in Fiji: Communities Rally for Well-Being
Communities in Tailevu joined forces for World Diabetes Day under the theme “Diabetes and Well-being,” spotlighting screenings, lifestyle education, and a culturally rooted peer-support network. The event underscored the growing diabetes crisis and the power of partnerships—toward prevention, early detection, and holistic care.
-
Fiji Unveils New Nadi Police Station, Boosting Safety and Tourism
Fiji unveils a modern Nadi Police Station, signaling a new era of safety and trust. With quicker response times and a dedicated Tourist Police Team, the facility hints at stronger protection for residents and visitors alike.
-
Hilton Fiji Raises FJ$14,331 for Fiji Cancer Society During Pinktober
October at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa turned pink with purpose, as staff and guests joined a month-long Pinktober to support the Fiji Cancer Society. From bake sales to a sunset fundraiser and unique Pinktober gear, the effort showed how hospitality can spark real community impact beyond the resort gates.
-
Fiji Rolls Out Official Climate Statistics as Workshop Maps Out 2028 Resilience Roadmap
Fiji is taking a decisive step to turn climate realities into solid numbers. A two-day workshop brings policymakers, researchers, and sector officials together to map a data-driven plan through 2028, tackling gaps and highlighting cross-sector impacts—from environment to health—with a focus on resilience and informed decision-making.
-
Fiji Bets on Digital Permits and Planners to Tackle Housing Shortages
Fiji faces a growing urban challenge: a shortage of town planners at a time of rising housing pressure. A forthcoming online Building Permit System and key town planning schemes signal a shift toward faster, more inclusive development—where government, councils, developers, and communities all have a role.
-
Lautoka’s Vodafone Sugar Festival Finale: Crowning Night and Final Judging
Tonight in Lautoka, the Vodafone Sugar Festival reaches its dramatic finale with a crowning ceremony after a week of talent, advocacy, and vibrant cultural flair. Judges’ scores are about to shape the closing moments as a grand float procession and awards bring the celebrations to a heartfelt close. A celebration of unity, charity, and community…
-
Suva Gears Up for Major Maritime Rescue Drill
Suva gears up for a major mock search-and-rescue drill on Saturday, 15 November 2025, uniting police, emergency services and maritime partners in a test of real-time coordination. Expect to see more emergency vehicles and traffic advisories as the operation unfolds—an ahead-of-the-season readiness effort designed to strengthen public safety.
-
72-year-old defies age to launch village ferry under Fiji’s SEA Scheme
At 72, Renato Bulavakarua from Qamea Island takes the wheel of a brand-new fiberglass boat, thanks to Fiji’s SEA Scheme. He envisions a village ferry between Qamea and Taveuni, turning a lifelong dream into a new chapter of possibility—and reminding us that age is just a number.
-
What a New Three-Kilometre Road Could Mean for Fiji’s Valevatu
Residents celebrate a new three-kilometre road that promises to ease muddy commutes, boost farming, and improve access to essential services in a rural community. The upgrade signals a broader push to strengthen livelihoods and resilience across the region.