The Minister for i-Taukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, announced that the team conducting a review of the i-Taukei Affairs Act is expected to complete its work and deliver a report by the end of this month.
Vasu outlined that the main goals of the review are to enhance the economic opportunities for the i-Taukei people and to strengthen governance within the Vanua framework.
In response to an inquiry about the review’s progress, Vasu stated that the review team is operating under the guidance of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). He detailed that the review is structured into five phases, with updates provided to the SAG at the conclusion of each phase.
The review team has engaged with various community groups, including religious organizations, NGOs, civil society organizations, students from tertiary institutions, i-Taukei entities, stakeholder groups, women’s organizations, statutory bodies, provincial councils, and the general public.
Vasu emphasized that the review team has gathered insights from a diverse range of community representatives. During these consultations, many Fijians expressed their support for the continuation of i-Taukei administration but noted the need for significant changes in its operations. He highlighted the importance of adapting to emerging issues that influence contemporary development agendas.