More than 1,000 chiefly titles remain unfilled across Fiji’s 14 provinces, according to information presented in Parliament by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts. In response to a written inquiry, Minister Ifireimi Vasu revealed that out of 6,205 registered traditional titles, 5,164 are currently filled, leaving 1,043 positions vacant. This indicates that approximately 17 percent of chiefly roles have yet to be formalized.
The ministry emphasized that this data sheds light on the current status of chiefly institutions throughout the nation. For instance, Lomaiviti has a total of 495 titles, of which only 262 are filled, resulting in 233 vacant titles. Similarly, in Nadroga-Navosa, there are 443 titles with 290 filled, leaving a number of positions unoccupied.
The figures reveal significant discrepancies across provinces. Rewa and Lau have filled a remarkable 94 percent of their titles, while regions such as Ra and Namosi are experiencing vacancy rates as high as 19 percent. Ba holds the highest total number of titles at 532, with just 47 remaining vacant. Following closely is Naitasiri, which has 610 titles and 85 vacancies.
While these statistics highlight challenges in filling chiefly positions, they also present an opportunity for local communities to engage in the selection and appointment process. The involvement of traditional leaders can enhance governance and representational capacities within provincial structures, ensuring that the voices of all communities are heard.
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