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88-599: The Conservative Alliance was publicly launched at Furnival Park in Toorak , Suva , on 15 June 2001 by defectors who broke away from the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei , which had governed the country from 1992 to 1999, when it lost the general elections held that year. As part of its founding ideology, the party emphasized that the offices of President and Prime Minister should be reserved for indigenous Fijians , and that Christianity should be constitutionally established as

176-489: A lord mayor and a 20-member city council . The Suva City Council was the municipal law-making body of the city of Suva, Fiji's capital. It consisted of 20 councillors, elected for three-year terms from four multi-member constituencies, called wards. Councillors were elected by residents, landowners, and representatives of corporations owning or occupying taxable property in Suva councillors in turn elect, from among their own members,

264-543: A tropical rainforest climate , according to the Köppen climate classification system. But because of its trade winds and occasional cyclones , it is not an equatorial climate. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation throughout the year, with no true dry season; no month has an average rainfall below 60 mm (2 in). Suva averages 3,000 mm (118 inches) of precipitation annually. Its driest month, July, averages 125 mm (4.92 in). As in many other cities with

352-728: A coalition agreement with the Conservative Alliance. The party initially insisted on Speight's release from jail as the price of its participation in the government, but later dropped this demand. The then leader of the party, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure , was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives , and two members of the caucus were appointed to the Cabinet . Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu became Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Isireli Leweniqila became Minister for Youth, Employment Opportunities, and sport. As part of

440-573: A cotton farming industry, but the land and climate proved unsuitable. In 1874, control of the Fiji Islands was ceded to the United Kingdom. In 1877, the colonial authorities decided to move the capital to Suva from Levuka , Ovalau, Lomaiviti, because Levuka's location between a steep mountain and the sea made any expansion of the town impractical. Colonel F. E. Pratt of the Royal Engineers

528-707: A deal brokered between the military and the insurrectionists, Ratu Jope Seniloli , another party stalwart, had already been appointed Vice-President in September 2000, following the end of the rebellion. At the annual general meeting held to dissolve the party on 17 February 2006, coup-convict Simione Drole claimed that the Fiji Labour Party had made an offer to the CAMV after the 2001 election. All six CAMV parliamentarians, including coup frontsman George Speight , would be given Cabinet office; one of them would be offered

616-472: A different point of view from the CAMV. According to a Radio New Zealand report on 18 February, SDL campaign director Jale Baba said that the CAMV had dissolved of its own accord and joined the SDL, not that the two parties had merged. "In fact there’s a misconception that there’s a merger between the two parties. What has happened is that the CAMV has decided to wind up that party and for them to become members of

704-672: A favoured interest in Bollywood by all, some prominent singers and actors have held shows in the capital which include singers like Shaan , Sonu Nigam , Sunidhi Chauhan and movie artists like Shah Rukh Khan , Priyanka Chopra , Johnny Lever , Dino Morea , Rajpal Yadav , Sunny Leone and the like. Suva offers a varied and interesting culinary experience where almost every if not all major cuisines are represented. Particularly popular cuisines are Fijian , Indian , Chinese , American and foods from other cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Fijians of Indian descent have influenced Fiji's cuisine, in

792-414: A lord mayor and deputy lord mayor, who served one-year terms and were eligible for re-election. However, in 2009, the military -backed interim Fijian government dismissed all municipal government officials throughout Fiji and appointed special administrators to run the urban areas. As of 2015 , elected municipal government had not been restored. The special administrator of Suva, along with nearby Nasinu ,

880-418: A point highlighted at the CAMV meeting. The party leader, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu , was also quoted as telling opponents of the merger that their failure to contribute to the party's coffers had left it with insufficient funds to continue as a viable party. Party treasurer Jone Kauvesi concurred, saying that the CAMV bank account of F$ 36,351.07 on 26 May 2004 had been boosted to F$ 50,713.36 on 7 July by

968-565: A scenic walk along Suva's foreshore. Many city residents go to the Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve , a short drive from the city centre, to swim under the waterfalls . Many concerts are held in Suva, some coming from other countries to enjoy world-class performances. Concerts and shows are usually staged at one of the above-mentioned venues on a monthly basis. Some of the famous music artists to hold shows in Suva include UB40 , Lucky Dube , O'Yaba , Sean Kingston and many others. Due to

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1056-517: A series of exchanged in April 2005, with the Conservative Alliance accusing the military of meddling in politics, and the military in turn charging that Alliance politicians included many who had "created havoc" in the 2000 coup. In a strongly worded statement on 25 April 2005, army spokesman Captain Neumi Leweni declared, "The RFMF would like to remind the CAMV that they were the very people who created

1144-506: A sole flight to Sydney , with the main operator out of the airport being Fiji Link . Fiji Link provides services to domestic locations within Fiji such as Savusavu and Rotuma . Suva has a public transport system consisting of buses (Central Transport Co.) and taxis servicing the metropolitan area as well as the cities of Nasinu, Nausori, and Lami town. There are bus services connecting Suva with other towns and cities on Viti Levu by way of either

1232-446: A tropical rainforest climate, temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with an average high of about 28 °C (82 °F) and an average low of about 22 °C (72 °F). Suva has a markedly higher rainfall than Nadi or the western side of Viti Levu (known to Suva inhabitants as "the burning west"). The second governor of Fiji, Sir Arthur Gordon , is said to have remarked that he had never seen it rain anywhere

1320-595: A wider debate about the policies and effectiveness of the party as a member of the ruling coalition. Without naming particular individuals, Sivo criticized certain colleagues on the CAMV executive on 17 September of being too subservient to the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua , the dominant partner in the ruling coalition. The party should have pushed for the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill three years ago, Sivo said. The controversial legislation, promoted by

1408-555: Is Chandu Umaria , a former lord mayor of Suva. A well-known landmark is the Suva City Carnegie Library , which was built in 1909. It is one of many colonial-period buildings in the city. Another landmark is Suva's governmental building complex. It sits on what was once the flowing waters of a creek. In 1935, the creek was drained, and the complex's foundations were created by driving more than five kilometres of reinforced concrete pilings into its bed. The foundation stone

1496-464: Is a popular spot for viewing sunrise and sunset. Thurston Gardens , which opened in 1913, features flora from throughout the South Pacific. Suva has many shopping and retail areas, notably Cumming Street, which has been a vibrant and colourful shopping area since colonial times. The Cumming Street area features original colonial buildings and narrow roads. Suva also has modern shopping malls, such as

1584-505: Is also known as the Suva-Nausori corridor .) Suva is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Fiji. It is also the economic and cultural capital of the South Pacific, hosting the majority of the regional headquarters of major international corporations, international agencies, and diplomatic missions. The city also has a thriving arts and performance scene, and a growing reputation as the region's fashion capital . In 1868, when Suva

1672-620: Is home to the national radio broadcasters Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and Communications Fiji Limited (CFL), between them providing 12 national radio stations. The two dailies, The Fiji Times and The Fiji Sun are printed here (and, formerly, the Fiji Post ). Many other weekly newspapers are headquartered and published in Suva, including Inside Fiji , Nai Lalakai (iTaukei language weekly), Shanti Dut (Fiji Hindi weekly), national magazines such as Repúblika and Mai Life as well as regional magazines such as Islands Business . Suva

1760-450: Is host to more international and regional intergovernmental agencies and NGOs than any other Pacific Island capital. Some of the bodies with a presence in Suva are: Suva is the cultural and entertainment capital of Oceania and is host to many regional, national, and local events. The city has a very developed and advanced entertainment and event infrastructure and hosts a busy calendar of events every year. Suva has many multipurpose venues,

1848-493: Is on a peninsula, and almost surrounded by sea, its coast is lined with mangroves - the nearest beach is 40 kilometres (25 mi) away, at Pacific Harbour . A significant part of the city centre, including the Parliament buildings, is built on reclaimed mangrove swampland. Below is a list of the city's five wards, beginning with the city centre, followed by the northwesternmost ward, and then in clockwise order: Suva sits in

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1936-644: Is one of the most shopper-friendly cities in the Pacific. The city offers its shops in a cluster that is referred to as Suva Central. Areas like Cumming Street and Marks Street are for clothing, jewellery, food, electronics, pharmaceuticals and more. Terry Walk and the Flea Market offer handicrafts and local ware. Close by, huge, new shopping complexes dominate the canal area, such as MHCC (Morris Hedstrom City Center), Tappoo City and Suva Central. There are telecommunication and electronic stores, as well as sporting gear stores in

2024-552: Is owned by Webmasters Pte Limited . FijiLive rose to prominence in May 2000 during the nationalist coup orchestrated by George Speight . While communication links with the outside world were cut off by the coup plotters, FijiLive was one of the few sources of news to reach the international audience. Since 2003 the site has undergone a massive transformation with a focus on news (local and political), sports ( rugby and football ) and business . This Fiji -related article

2112-581: Is valued at US$ 25.7 million (FJD50 million). Construction work began in January 2011 for a FJD30 -million mini-mall complex at Grantham Road, behind the Sports-City Complex and close to the Suva campus of the University of the South Pacific . It was scheduled to be completed in 2012, and to house restaurants, retail outlets, and cinemas. Unlike most cities and towns in Fiji, and many around

2200-552: The Fiji Times quoted Rabukawaqa as saying that certain political elements would stop at nothing to pursue their personal political ambitions. ' They wish to continue to keep the masses in abject poverty so that they can be beguiled by the continued lie of foreigners wanting to take their land from them," Rabukawaqa said. Rabukawaqa said that nationalism was a good thing when it was state based, but could only lead to hatred and instability if based on ethnicity. CAMV members objecting to

2288-581: The Military criticized the merger as a sign of increasing ethno-nationalism, which it described as a threat to the country's long-term stability. For the SDL to accept the CAMV members into its ranks was a betrayal of the trust the Military had invested in Qarase when appointing him Prime Minister in 2000 and supporting him subsequently, Fiji Live (23 February) reported the statement as saying. The 23 February edition of

2376-690: The Rewa River , along the Kings Highway, and then to Nausori across the river. To the north and northeast are the rainforest-park areas of Colo-i-Suva and Sawani, along the Princes Road, which connect at the Rewa River Bridge . This whole area (excluding Lami) is also formally referred to as the Suva–Nausori Corridor. It is the most populous area in Fiji, with over 330,000 inhabitants. Suva has

2464-568: The South Pacific Games in 2003 for the third time in the event's 40-year history. In preparation for hosting the event, the Fijian government , with the help of a $ 16 million aid package from the People's Republic of China, funded the construction of a new gymnasium, indoor sports centre, swimming pool, stadium, field hockey pitch, and grandstands in the area around Suva. In addition to being

2552-465: The Westpac . In addition, most Fijian financial institutions, non-governmental organisations , and government ministries and departments are headquartered here. At one point, both Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways ) and Air Fiji were headquartered in Suva. A large part of Fiji's international shipping , as well as the docking of international cruise ships, takes place at Suva's Kings Wharf. This has led to

2640-401: The general election scheduled for 2006. Sivo opposed the decision, and said that Cakobau had acted without proper authority. Each subsequently called on the other to resign, and on 9 August, Cakobau said that he expected Sivo to be replaced by his predecessor, Ratu Josefa Dimuri . Sivo countered that he had no intention of relinquishing his position, and said that he could be only removed if

2728-583: The upcoming election . In another development, however, it was announced on 16 February 2006 that the party would be deregistering, in order to merge with the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) ahead of the elections. Fiji Television reported on 20 February that a letter alleged to have been written by Ratu Tanoa Cakobau had requested that the six CAMV parliamentarians be endorsed, unopposed, as SDL candidates. The SDL confirmed having received letter, written in Fijian and addressed to Prime Minister Qarase and to

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2816-561: The 2000 coup by visiting rebels at the Sukanaivalu Barracks on 4 July that year, and were sentenced to eight months' imprisonment. They were released on parole after serving just eleven days of their sentences. Opposition politicians charged that the release of Seniloli, Lalabalavu, and Dimuri was for political reasons, as the six votes of the Conservative Alliance are needed to maintain the government's parliamentary majority. The military also criticized their release. This led to

2904-464: The 71 electorates. Six of their candidates were elected to the House of Representatives , including Speight. (Unable to take his seat due to his imprisonment on treason charges, Speight was subsequently expelled from Parliament for nonattendance, and his brother, Samisoni Tikoinasau , won the ensuing byelection to fill the vacancy). To secure a legislative majority, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase forged

2992-603: The Fiji Ministry of Information, which produces government programs as well as national news and current affairs bulletins. Fiji One produces and airs its evening 'National News' bulletin from its studios in Gladstone Road in Central; FBC TV airs its 'FBC News' bulletin from its studios, also on Gladstone Road. Sky Pacific and Pacific Broadcasting Services Fiji are the two pay satellite television company headquartered here. Suva

3080-621: The Independence of Fiji, the landing by Kingsford Smith on the Southern Cross and many parades and carnivals. Sukuna Park, also in the CBD is a popular recreational park and has many performances and events on a weekly basis. Thurston Gardens (named for Governor of Fiji John Bates Thurston ) is the city's main botanical garden and the location of the Fiji Museum. Queen Elizabeth Drive is popular as

3168-645: The Kings, Queens, or Princes highways, all originating within Suva, although the latter terminates at Rewa Bridge in Nausori. There is a domestic ferry service from the Princess Wharf to the outer islands of Fiji as well as Vanua Levu . International ships and cruise liners dock at Suva's Kings Wharf. Fiji Live FijiLive is an online news portal covering local and political news , sports , business , entertainment (general) and international news . The site

3256-514: The SDL President, but Cakobau said that some portions of it were not authentic; his name had been written differently from the way he uses it official correspondence, he said. The Prime Minister responded that all candidacies for the SDL were open, and that there would be no automatic endorsement of candidates, ex-CAMV or otherwise. All would have to go through the required selection procedure. The next day, Fiji Live revealed that in addition to

3344-423: The SDL and Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu , he said, adding that many who disagreed with the merger were remaining silent only because of their traditional obligation to Lalabalavu as a Paramount Chief. He made a strong attack on Prime Minister Qarase, calling on him to resign, and mooted the establishment of a new party under the old CAMV label. Sivo rejected claims made by General Secretary Ratu Josefa Dimuri that

3432-458: The SDL donation, but by February 2006 his had been depleted and only F$ 3235.31 remained. The bulk of the fund - over F$ 31,000 had gone in legal fees, Kauvesi said, with the Abhay Singh and Associates legal firm alone being paid F$ 7,400 . Travel, funeral expenses, advertising in newspapers, byelection campaigns, and meetings had accounted for the rest. The SDL appeared to see the merger from

3520-418: The SDL party," Baba said. The Fiji Sun quoted former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as hailing the merger as "the way forward for the Fijian people." Nationalist Vanua Tako Lavo Party general secretary Viliame Savu , however, condemned the merger. Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said that the merger could misfire. He doubted that all CAMV supporters would transfer their allegiance to

3608-445: The SDL, thinking it more likely that some would move to other parties at election time. United Peoples Party leader Mick Beddoes similarly judged the decision to be unwise. Fiji Village quoted him on the 19th as saying that the merger could further polarize Fiji's ethnic communities. The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT), from which the CAMV originally broke away, said on 23 February 2006 that not all CAMV members supported

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3696-455: The SDL-led government was addressing that matter through its Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill . The Fiji Live news service claimed on 19 February that financial considerations may have played a role in the decision to disband the CAMV. The SDL had reportedly donated F$ 15,000 to pay the legal fees of prominent citizens, many of them CAMV supporters, who were implicated in the 2000 coup

3784-736: The South Pacific islands), the New Years Street Party , and the Fiji Show Case tradeshow that includes carnival rides, food as well as magic and circus performances. Suva plays host to many regional and national sporting events, most notably at the HFC Bank Stadium . A special highlight is the Coca-Cola Games, the largest secondary school athletics meet in the world. The Capital City is represented in major sporting events by its respective rugby , netball and football teams. Suva

3872-481: The Speight-led Taukei Cabinet on 19 May 2000, saying that they would never die. Countering Sivo's version, the Fiji Times (2 March) quoted Dimuri as saying that the meeting to dissolve the party had been attended by over four hundred cadres and that the decision to join the SDL had been nearly unanimous. He rejected Sivo's claims about the origins of the party, saying that he personally had registered

3960-632: The Suva Central Shopping Mall, the Mid-City Mall, and MHCC, along with other developments give much of the city a modern and sophisticated look. TappooCity is one of Fiji's shopping mall, and the largest in the South Pacific outside of Australia and New Zealand. This low-rise (six-storey) building was constructed in December 2009 in a joint venture by FNPF and the Tappoo Group of Companies. It

4048-472: The capital of Fiji, Suva is also its commercial and political centre (though not necessarily its cultural centre), and its main port city. It has a mix of modern buildings and colonial-period architecture. Suva is located around a harbour on a hilly peninsula in the southeast corner of Viti Levu Island, between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour. The mountains to its north and west catch the southeast trade winds, producing year-round moist conditions. Although Suva

4136-426: The city is home to most of Fiji's ethnic minority populations, which include Rotumans, Lauans, Rambians, Europeans (known as Kaivalagi ), part-Europeans (of European and Fijian descent, known as “Kailoma") and Chinese , among others. The most widely spoken language is English, but Fijian , Fiji Hindi , and other languages are also spoken by their respective communities. Suva's inhabitants are representative of all

4224-428: The colony was transferred from Levuka to Suva in 1882. As of the 2017 census, the city of Suva had a population of 93,970, and Suva's metropolitan area, which includes its independent suburbs, had a population of 185,913. The combined urban population of Suva and the towns of Lami , Nasinu , and Nausori that border it was around 330,000: over a third of the nation's population. (This urban complex, excluding Lami,

4312-514: The country's official religion . Among those attending the launch was the Rev. Tomasi Kanailagi , President of the Methodist Church . Ratu Epenisa Cakobau , a Kubuna chief , was appointed President of the party, with Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu of Tovata and Ro Alivereti Tuisawau of Burebasaga as the two Vice-Presidents, thus representing at the apex of the party the leading chiefly clans from

4400-456: The due process of law. On 29 November 2004, however, Attorney General Qoriniasi Bale announced that the government had decided to parole Seniloli on health grounds, in return for his resignation. A similar scenario unfolded in the trial of Ratu Lalabalavu, the party leader, and Senator Ratu Josefa Dimuri , also a party member. On 3 April 2005, Lalabalavu and Dimuri were convicted of unlawful assembly for their role aiding and abetting

4488-462: The foresight to complete the work we have started, and that is to fulfill the aspirations of the Fijian people and the release of our brothers in jail," the Fiji Sun (1 March) quoted him as saying. He accused Dimuri of failing to read a letter at the meeting held to dissolve the party; Dimuri countered by saying that no such letter had been received. Sivo affirmed his belief in the ideals articulated by

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4576-426: The former leader, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure were also adamantly opposed to the merger, he claimed. Sivo reiterated his opposition to the merger on 27 February, saying that it breached the constitution of the party. Only the management board could authorize a dissolution, and Tailevu was the only Province represented at the meeting, the Fiji Sun quoted him as claiming. The move was a private agreement between

4664-440: The government in 2005, proposed to establish a commission empowered to compensate victims and pardon perpetrators of the 2000 coup , many of whom were supporters of the CAMV. The CAMV contested the 2001 election on a platform calling for a greater emphasis on indigenous rights and the proclamation of Christianity (the faith of most ethnic Fijians , but relatively few Indo-Fijians ), as the official religion of Fiji. Officially,

4752-466: The growth of Suva's tourism industry . The largest of Suva's several industrial areas is Walu Bay, which is home to factories, warehouses , import-export companies, shipyards , container yards, a brewery, and many printeries. Other notable industrial areas are Vatuwaqa, Raiwaqa, and Laucala Beach. Suva boasts many thriving markets and shopping complexes. Among the most popular areas for shopping and commerce are Cumming Street and Victoria Parade. Suva

4840-500: The havoc from which the country is still trying to recover." Trials of persons implicated in the 2000 coup, many of them Conservative Alliance members, are continuing. A power struggle between the President and General Secretary of the party took place in September 2005. On 30 July 2005, Cakobau signed an agreement with four other parties to establish an electoral coalition of parties supported mostly by indigenous Fijians to contest

4928-413: The law that we had to respect, we had to follow. And through that process most of my party members, except myself, went to jail," Cakobau said. The merger was not quite finalized until 3 July 2006, when the party was officially deregistered. General Secretary Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure said on 28 February that the party was seeking legal advice after questions had been raised concerning the legality of

5016-647: The main ones being the Vodafone Arena , which can seat up to 5,000 people, the HFC Bank Stadium , which can seat up to 30,000 people, the FMF National Gymnasium Suva, which can seat up to 2,000 people, and the Civic Auditorium, which can seat up to 1,000 people. Suva has a number of parks and a few gardens. Albert Park , in the City centre, is famous as the stage for many national-historical events such as

5104-402: The major indigenous Pacific groups: it is sometimes referred to as the “ New York of the Pacific". The city has a reputation as a major economic centre in the region and is the site of University of the South Pacific 's main campus. This has led to an influx of Pacific migrants, who study, work, and live in the city and its boroughs. Suva has municipal status and, until 2009, was governed by

5192-490: The matter. On 20 February, however, Prime Minister Qarase said that there was no question of the six CAMV parliamentarians being disqualified. Despite the dissolution of the party, they would continue to sit under the auspices of the CAMV, he said. The Fiji Sun reported on 10 March that CAMV parliamentarian and lawyer Niko Nawaikula had inquired of the Supervisor of Elections about the procedures to follow for deregistering

5280-422: The merger with the SDL included Ropate Sivo , the former General Secretary. He told Fiji Village that he was seeking legal advice on whether the vote to dissolve the party had been conducted legally. He had visited Metuisela Mua , Eroni Lewaqai and Viliame Sousouwai in prison (where they are serving for coup-related offences) and had been advised by them to pursue legal action, he said. George Speight and

5368-650: The merger with the SDL. Ema Druavesi , General Secretary of the SVT, told the Fiji Village news service that the door was open for former CAMV members to join the SVT. People's National Party (PNP) General Secretary Meli Bogileka also criticized the merger, and said that the PNP was reconsidering its position in the Grand Coalition Initiative Group . In a statement written in Fijian and released on 22 February,

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5456-431: The merger; his successor as General Secretary, Ropate Sivo , had said that CAMV parliamentarians could not legally remain in office if their political party was dissolved. Official deregistration, therefore, would likely have to await the end of the current parliamentary session, a stance he reiterated on 3 March. Sivo, for his part, told Fiji Live that he planned to meet Opposition Leader Mahendra Chaudhry to discuss

5544-525: The middle of a metropolitan area, sometimes known as the Suva Urban Complex , and sometimes informally known as Suva, even though it encompasses a total of four areas with their own town or city names and their own separate local governments. This conurbation stretches from Lami (immediately west of the city of Suva) along the Queens Highway, through Nasinu (immediately east of the city of Suva), to

5632-538: The most populous city of Fiji . It is the home of the country's largest metropolitan area and serves as its major port. The city is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti Levu , in Rewa Province , Central Division . In 1877, the capital of Fiji was moved to Suva from Levuka , the main European colonial settlement at the time, due to the restrictive geography and environs of the latter. The administration of

5720-593: The outer areas of this radius. Suva also hosts the headquarters of the Fashion Council of Fiji, the region's most significant fashion organisation. The Fijian Fashion Festival, the region's largest trade and consumer fashion platform, occurs annually at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. Nausori International Airport caters mainly to the domestic market, connecting Suva with Fiji's other international airport, Nadi International Airport . Fiji Airways operates

5808-433: The party accepts the 1997 Constitution , calling it "a workable document," but in practice many of its elected representatives have strongly criticised it. Despite its strongly nationalist image, reinforced by the arrest and conviction of many of its members for participation in the 2000 coup, the CAMV claims to espouse nonracial policies. The party President, Ratu Tanoa Cakobau, said on 8 June 2005 that anybody respected by

5896-462: The party had begun in the north of the country and largely built by Lalabalvu, Isireli Leweniqila , and himself. On the contrary, Sivo claimed that the groundwork had been laid by Vakalalabure, his brother Ratu Tevita , and himself; Sivo had provided part of his own restaurant in Suva for a party office, he claimed. "These people joined the bandwagon when it was up and running. That is why they don’t have

5984-478: The party has the most support. The party executive called on all indigenous-led parties to follow their lead and unite under the banner of the SDL, in order to present the electorate with a united front to guarantee continued indigenous national leadership. Lalabalavu said that the party was concerned about continued imprisonment of persons convicted of the Fiji coup of 2000 , many of them CAMV supporters, but considered that

6072-468: The party in Labasa . He also denied that George Speight had opposed the decision, saying that if he had objected to the dissolution of the party, he would have informed his brother and CAMV Cabinet Minister Samisoni Tikoinasau , who visited him regularly in prison. Fiji Live quoted a Fiji Sun report on 13 June 2006 as saying that Sivo had announced plans to revive the party, with a view to campaigning for

6160-432: The party judged him unfit for the post. He reiterated on 16 September that he would not stand aside for Dimuri. Responding to a letter that Cakobau had sent to Dimuri reinstating him, Sivo said that Cakobau had no such powers. He accused him of taking advantage of the famous Cakobau name to make unilateral decisions that were beyond his authority. The public disagreement between Cakobau and Sivo appeared to be related to

6248-414: The party. The decision to deregister the party was formalized at the party's annual general meeting the next day. Despite some dissent, the motion was passed on a voice vote. Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu told the meeting that in accordance with Fijian protocol, President Ratu Josefa Iloilo had been informed of the decision, as had the chiefs of Vanua Levu , Naitasiri , and Tailevu - the areas where

6336-399: The population could be Prime Minister, regardless of his or her race or status. He said this in response to a comment from Poseci Bune , Deputy Leader of the Fiji Labour Party , that the country should be ready for a non-indigenous Prime Minister. Party President Ratu Tanoa Cakobau announced on 9 February 2006 that the party would contest Fijian communal and open constituencies in

6424-409: The post of Prime Minister . All prisoners held on coup-related offences would also be freed in return for CAMV support, Fiji Live quoted Drole as saying. "This information was relayed to us on Nukulau by CAMV lawyer Kitione Vuataki," Drole told the meeting. He went on to claim that the CAMV had made the very difficult decision to refuse the offer; the prospect of freedom was tempting, he said, but

6512-556: The priority was to ensure that an ethnic Fijian government held office. FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry rejected Drole's claims as "utter lies." "Drole should have his head examined," he said. In 2004, a number of high-profile members of the Conservative Alliance were arrested and charged with treason for their roles in the 2000 coup. On 6 August 2004, Vice-President Seniloli and Deputy Speaker Vakalalabure were convicted and sentenced to terms of four and six years' imprisonment respectively. Youth, Employment, and Sports Minister Leweniqila

6600-489: The process creating the uniquely Fiji Indian curry. Indentured labourers brought with them spices, chilies, and other herbs and vegetables which now are part of the Fijian culinary experience. During the course of the year, arts, music and trade festivals are held in Suva, albeit on a small scale. There are a few large and notable festivals that occur annually and these include the Hibiscus Festival (largest carnival in

6688-475: The release of George Speight and other parties to the 2000 coup. On 9 September 2008, former members of the Conservative Alliance applied to re-register the party with the Electoral Commission so it can contest the next election. The new incarnation of the party will be led by Ropate Sivo . Suva Suva ( Fijian pronunciation: [ˈsuβa] ; Fiji Hindi : सुवा ) is the capital and

6776-620: The site was built in 1882, but a fire caused by a lightning strike destroyed it in 1921. It was rebuilt in 1928. The Suva campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP) occupies what was originally a New Zealand military base. It is the largest of the many USP campuses dotted throughout the South Pacific. USP is the largest university in the Pacific Islands outside Hawaii, and its courses are internationally recognised and endorsed. The Fiji Museum , now located in Thurston Gardens ,

6864-483: The six parliamentarians, five other CAMV figures were seeking endorsement as SDL candidates. Radio New Zealand quoted Party President Ratu Tanoa Cakobau as saying on 28 February that the party had sacrificed little in its merger with the SDL. The party had abandoned its goal of freeing all coup convicts as long ago as 2002, he claimed. "We had to reconsider everything, in the beginning we were all out for everything, but then we realised that there’s something called

6952-465: The three confederacies to which all Fijian chiefs belong. Ratu Josefa Dimuri was appointed General Secretary of the party. George Speight , who led the civilian coup d'état against the elected government of Mahendra Chaudhry in May 2000, joined the new party, as did many of his supporters. In the parliamentary election held to restore democracy in August 2001, the party fielded candidates in 36 of

7040-399: The way it rains in Suva and that there was hardly a day without rain. The most copious rainfall is observed from November to May, while the slightly cooler months from June to October see considerably more moderate rainfall. Suva is a multiracial and multicultural city. Indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians , the two principal ethnic groups of Fiji, comprise the bulk of Suva's population, and

7128-536: The world, Suva did not grow up around a single industry. It has gradually developed to become the largest and most sophisticated city in the Pacific Islands, and a regional hub. Fijians of Indian descent have largely shaped the economy of Fiji, contributing immensely to the growth of Suva and to its status as the economic and political capital of Fiji. Suva is the commercial center of Fiji: Most international banks have their Pacific headquarters here, including ANZ and

7216-514: Was acquitted; Justice Nazhat Shameem accepted his defence that he had been coerced into taking an illegal oath of office during the coup. Anxious to retain the support of his coalition partner, and shore up his electoral base in the Bau - Tailevu region, in which Seniloli is an influential chief, Prime Minister Qarase said that he was "dismayed by the severity of the sentences" handed down. His government indicated, however, that it would not interfere with

7304-624: Was appointed Surveyor-General in 1875 and designed the new capital in Suva, assisted by W. Stephens and Colonel R. W. Stewart. The transfer of the administration to Suva was made official in 1882. In 1910, Suva acquired the status of a municipality, under the Municipal Constitution Ordinance of 1909. Its area remained one square mile until 1952 when Suva annexed the Muanikau and Samabula wards , expanding its territory to 13 km (5.0 sq mi). In October of that year, Suva

7392-524: Was founded in 1904, and originally occupied the old town hall. It was moved to its present location in 1954. The museum houses the most extensive collection of Fijian artifacts in the world, and is also a research and educational institution, specialising in archaeology, the preservation of Fiji's oral tradition, and the publication of material on Fiji's language and culture. Suva has about 78 parks. The new Takashi Suzuki Garden , in Apted Park at Suva Point ,

7480-444: Was laid in 1937, the building complex was completed in 1939, and a new wing was completed in 1967. However, in 1992, the seat of Fiji's parliament was moved out of that complex and into a new one on Ratu Sukuna Road . Government House was formerly the residence of Fiji's colonial governors and, after Fijian independence in 1970, governors-general . Today, it is the official residence of Fiji's president . The original house on

7568-516: Was officially designated a city – Fiji's first. Suva later annexed Tamavua . Most recently, Suva further extended its boundaries by incorporating the Cunningham area at its northern edge. Since then, urban sprawl has led to the growth of a number of suburbs that remain outside the city limits. Together with the city, they form the metropolitan area known as the Greater Suva Area . Suva hosted

7656-579: Was still a small village, the Bauan chieftain , Seru Epenisa Cakobau , granted 5,000 km (1,900 sq mi) of land to the Australian-based Polynesia Company, in exchange for the company's promise to pay off debts owed to the United States. More than a tenth of this land area, 575 km (222 sq mi), was located near Suva. The company's original intention was to develop

7744-553: Was the host of the first Pacific Games , in 1963. Forty years later in 2003 the Games returned to Fiji's capital, with a full program of 32 sports introduced for the first time. Suva held the games for the second time in 1979. Having hosted the event three times, Suva has held the Pacific Games more often than any other city. Headquartered in Suva are the three main national television stations, Fiji One , FBC TV and MAI TV along with

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