The Fiji Times

Back in history | Battle of the voices

On August 6, 1993, The Fiji Times reported that this “was the typical sight yesterday” when the choir masters took to the rostrum as the annual Methodists Choir competition entered its second day. Groups came from all over the country. “The choir competition is being run with the national fundraising drive, mainly by donation. By...

Can kava mana be exported?

Kava is the ancient drink of Pacific people. Surrounded in custom, and steeped in thousands of years of tradition, it is considered a ‘life source’ for many. ‘Anau Mesui Henry describes kava as ‘being alive’, that you’re honouring it when you’re drinking it ‘the proper way’. “When my family moved to Aotearoa, my mum and...

Triple bottom line | Shifting smaller businesses from informal to formal sector

Soleya, a management consultancy company, has dedicated itself to the aid of micro enterprises; one woman’s passion project to uplift aspiring entrepreneurs in a nation that she now calls home. Mrs Noellie Garand, managing director of Soleya, holds a diploma in Innovation Management and two master’s degrees: one in Policy Studies and another in Development...

$35 million complex for Nausori

Nausori residents will soon have access to an apartment hotel and retail complex at the heart of the town’s main business area thanks to a public private partnership between the Nausori Town Council and Shop N Save Supermarkets Ltd. The approximately 7500 metre squared plot where the old Nausori market once stood will house a...

North bank staff donate blood to help save lives

Inspired by the 43 pints of blood donated by staff of the Westpac Suva and Lautoka branches during an organised blood drive earlier this year, the Labasa branch staff took it upon themselves to donate to the Blood Bank up north. Westpac Fiji organised blood drives for staff in partnership with the Fiji Red Cross...

36 hotels record $4.3m room sales

Thirty-six hotels in Fiji recorded room sales of $4,372,033 in the month of August, Tourism Fiji has revealed in its monthly accommodation report. Fiji recorded 87,368 visitor arrivals in August. “In August 2023, properties in Fiji maintained a steady occupancy rate of 84%, showing a slight decline from the previous month of July, which averaged...

Vidya Patel leaves legacy behind

The founder of major developers Challenge Group of Companies, Vidya Ben Patel, was laid to rest at the Lovu Crematorium in Lautoka on Tuesday. Mrs Vidya Patel, the wife of business tycoon Suresh Patel, died at the William Harvey Hospital in Willesborough in Ashford, United Kingdom, on September 5. She was remembered at an intimate...

Warmth of people and delightful dishes leaves lasting impression

My one-week stay in Chengdu, one of the biggest cities in China, has had a profound impact on my life. Although it was a short visit, the warmth of the people and the delightful dishes left a lasting impression on me. Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to visit several incredible places. And I...

A visit with many firsts

My visit to China is filled with many firsts. My first time travelling out of Fiji and first time on an airplane. And to experience China in my first overseas trip has been nothing short of amazing. Chengdu is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me personally. Because before this, my life was centred around Wainiveidio...

Not just another ‘talk fest’: Prof Shaista

The National Education Summit was not just another ‘talk fest’ says University of Fiji vice chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem. Professor Shameem said the three day discussions was data driven that showed the need to change and review Fiji’s education sector. “I was very encouraged by the data provided by the Ministry’s permanent secretary who gave...

Court dismisses case of unfair dismissal

The Employment Relations Court has dismissed a case of unlawful and unfair dismissal brought by former USP vice president-administration Dr Dilawar Grewal against USP. Dr Grewal’s services were terminated on June 13, 2016 on charges of gross misconduct after it was discovered he had forwarded a confidential email to a third party and that the...

Increase in overall crime rate

The overall crime rate increased by 5 per cent during the month of August in the Western, Eastern and Northern divisions. A police statement read 1524 reports were registered during the month and compares with 1456 reports for the same period last year. The Western Division recorded the most crime with 570 reports. The Southern...

Simpson to take stage

Domo Vou Talei 2022 finalist Amos Simpson will take to the stage at this year’s Woodstock Uprising Music Festival but this time he won’t be flying solo. Amos will be there as part of Waikama, a band out of Savusavu which features his guitarist/vocalist brother Robin Simpson – a musician of note in Australia. Robin...

Drop in serious crimes

Serious crimes recorded last month decreased by 20 per cent over July, while crimes against women dropped by 11 per cent and crimes against children by 38 per cent. Police statistics show that while there was a reduction in crimes against women, domestic violence still dominated the list. Of the 177 reports, 16 per cent...

No plans to diversify sugar production

The Government has no plans to diversify sugar production into syrup, the Sugar Ministry has clarified. Earlier this week, this newspaper highlighted a story about a multi-million dollar investment by Rama Se Foundation founder and philanthropist Deepak Tahal and Y3 Kofera Trust, the traditional owners of Denarau. The partnership is expected to facilitate cane syrup...

Ministry to address internet issue in rural areas

Getting internet to rural and maritime schools is a challenge that the Education Ministry will address as one of its key focuses moving forward. This issue was thoroughly discussed at the National Education Summit with stakeholders from the public, private and civil sector coming together to find solutions to the ongoing issue. Education Minister Aseri...

‘Only 45pc girls in workforce’

More girls are completing higher education, but they are not making it into the formal workforce, according to a study by the Education Ministry. Permanent secretary for Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca said 97 per cent of girls completed their secondary school education compared with 79 per cent of boys. “60 to 65 per cent of...

A-G: Need to reform education laws

Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says it is apparent that the law needs to be reformed when it comes to the education sector. “Unfortunately, after 10 years, this is the first education forum to be called,” Mr Turaga said. “This education forum is basically to provide policy advice to the minister and the minister then discusses it...

93,011 cases of violent offences

A total of 93,011 cases of violent offences were discovered in primary schools from 2019 to 2022. Permanent Secretary for Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca said these were among the disciplinary issues the ministry recorded within that period. “For alcohol and other drugs offences, in primary school there were 2355 cases and for secondary schools, 5933,”...

State loses $1.4b from failed subjects

The Government lost $1.4 billion when 56 per cent of Year 12 students failed their STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in 2022. Permanent Secretary for Education Ministry Selina Kuruleca told the National Education Summit in Nadi that per annum per child, it cost $2043 at the primary sector then it went up to...

Bonus payments deferred | Minister wants info on methodology used

Bonus payments to pine landowners has been deferred, says Fiji Pine Ltd board chairman Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure. The deferred payment, he said, was because of the Minister for Forestry’s request to know the methodology of the bonus payments. His comments follow concerns and queries from pine landowners in Vanua Levu who said the bonus was...

NGO receives $53k to fight cancer

Walk On Walk Strong Fiji has received a gift of $53,241.40 from Value City that will boost WOWS Kids Fiji in their work of caring for children with cancer. Handing over the gift, Value City managing director Vera Chute said the gift was part of its corporate social responsibility with the funds raised through fundraising...

Pio commends police response in apprehending suspect

Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua has commended the actions taken by officers of Totogo Police Station in their effort to subdue a man who allegedly tried to burn down the station. A video from the incident has gone viral on social media, raising concerns from members of the public on the manner in which the...

Workers receive 12 per cent pay rise

Energy Fiji Ltd workers will now enjoy a 12 per cent pay increase — thanks to the efforts of the Construction Energy and Timber Workers Union of Fiji, after the inking of an agreement with EFL management yesterday. CETWUF national secretary John Paul said the “battle” with EFL management began 12 years ago in 2011....

War on illicit drugs | Police warn of meth production, collusion with pharmacies

Acting Commissioner of Police (ACP) Juki Fong Chew says methamphetamine is being produced in Fiji through prescribed medicines that could be obtained from pharmacies around the country. He said meth was not only found in Suva but also in Vanua Levu. “So, there are a lot of arrests that have been made, not only on...

Fiji’s national carrier wins five star major airline award

National carrier Fiji Airways has achieved its second consecutive victory as a Five Star Major Airline in the prestigious APEX Official Airline Ratings. The APEX Official Airline Ratings, recognised for their impartiality, were independently certified by a professional external auditing company. In accepting the award on behalf of the airline in California, USA, Fiji Airways...

Minister: Attack on police station an isolated event; suspect in hospital with burns

Fiji’s Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua has called for calm and issued some level of assurance as he declared the alleged attack on the Central Police Station (CPS) at Totogo yesterday an isolated act. And he has also urged members of the public to refrain from “speculating or spreading unverified information, which might lead...

Education Ministry and partners to commit to seven thematic areas

The Ministry of Education, its partners and stakeholders will make a 10 year commitment to seven thematic areas at the end of the 2023 National Education Summit. The seven thematic areas are: Curriculum and sustainable development, Quality assurance and assessment, Teaching profession and leadership, Early childhood education, inclusive education, access, equitable, safe and healthy schools,...

Vulnerable Fiji on frontline off climate crisis – PM Rabuka

Fiji, as a vulnerable nation, finds itself on the frontline of the climate crisis, grappling with its devastating effects. These were the remarks of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in his address at the Thematic Session 2 of the UN General Assembly Climate Ambition Summit, titled ‘Delivering Climate Justice: Accelerating Ambition and Implementation on Adaptation and...

Local News

From Harvard to cattle ranch