Last Sunday, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) bade farewell to a man of faith who has been a cornerstone of its reconciliation and restoration efforts.
Major Reverend Viliame Tunidau or ‘padre’ as he is affectionately known, in an emotional and moving church service at Suva’s FMF gymnasium, signed off on seven years of commitment, stewardship, and service to the men and women of the RFMF, as force chaplain.
Rev Tunidau who hails from Yaroi, the chiefly village of the island of Matuku, was ordained in 2005 as a Minister of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma.
While 2025 marks the end of his journey in the armed forces, it also commemorates his 25th year in ministry and 19th as an ordained minister of the church.
His commitment and passion for reconciliation and restoration were not borne purely out his involvement as a leader in the RFMF but shaped immensely by his own personal experience as a young man dealing with the death of his father in 2000.
This is the first of a three-part series in which we explore the life journey of Rev Tunidau, as well as the trials, setbacks, wisdom, and victories that have and continue to shape him.
Humble yet turbulent beginnings
Under the afternoon sun of November 5, 1995, in a small church in Kilikali Settlement on the outskirts of Suva, a young man, still under the influence of marijuana, joined the congregation to commemorate the lotu ni vula vou, marking the first Sunday of a new month.
Viliame Tunidau had responded to the sound of the lali, which was calling the congregation to the afternoon worship. Even though he had no genuine intention of attending with seriousness of heart, he went on, took his seat, and stared blankly, unaware that he had an appointment with God.
“I heard his voice calling me, not just to salvation, but to a new purpose in life,” he said.
Mr Tunidau was born raised on the island of Matuku, where he hails from Yaroi, the principal village of the island or koro sau, the seat of its paramount chief, the Gone Turaga na Tui Yaroi na Tui Matuku.
He is the second of four siblings, and his upbringing was characterised immensely by the virtues of peace, joy, and strong sense of community which were further complimented by his mother who instilled in him and his siblings, the values of prayer, biblical teachings, and faithful church attendance.
“I commenced my formal education at Ratu Mocevakaca Primary School. I continued my education at Ratu Kadavulevu School (RKS) in Lodoni. Leaving Matuku to attend RKS, marked a major turning point in my life,” he said
“It was my first time leaving both my parents and my island home. Boarding a large ship to travel to school was a childhood dream fulfilled; yet while I was excited to finally experience it, I also felt the weight of sadness at parting from my parents, relatives, and the comfort of village life.”
From the city of men to the big city
Mr Tunidau’s formative years at Delainakaikai were nothing short of transformative and marked profoundly by valuable lessons which have shaped his character. The institution instilled in him a sense of discipline, resilience, and personal responsibility.
“Life was challengeable at RKS as we are required to manage our own affairs, waking up early on cold mornings, attending to our laundry, and maintaining daily routines,” he said.
“This stood in stark contrast to life in the village, where my mother had faithfully cared for my needs, from preparing meals to washing clothes and ensuring I was awake each morning.”
The most challenging aspect for him, having come from the islands, was witnessing colleagues receive visits from their families while he received none. While this was painful it fostered a greater level of endurance and resilience that would later sustain him through life’s greater challenges.
Finishing off from RKS, he enrolled again in Form Six, now Year 12, at Nabua Secondary with the aim of improving his academic performance. Following that he pursued studies at the Fiji Institute of Technology, now FNU, and it was at this point in life that he came face to face with the realities of urban life in Suva.
Having been raised in a remote island more than 500 kilometres from the capital, he struggled to adjust to the fast pace, constant noise, and cultural complexities of the city.
“The environment was unfamiliar and often overwhelming, and I became entangled in alcohol, drugs, and petty crimes. In hindsight, I recognise that these struggles were a manifestation of culture shock, a disorienting transition into a world vastly different from the one I had always known,” he explained.
“I remain profoundly grateful for the grace of God. The painful experiences and personal failures I endured ultimately prepared me for the most significant decision of my life: to commit myself fully to the Lord.”
Redemption at Kilikali
In that small church at Kilikali, after a heart piercing plea from an elderly gentleman to the youth to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and as the choir rendered a polotu which filled the sanctuary with solemnity, Viliame Tunidau found himself standing and surrendering his life completely to follow Jesus Christ.
His parents soon relocated from Matuku to Suva and life in the city was far from easy.
With limited education and no formal qualification, his parents faced considerable difficulty in securing stable employment. As the head of the family, Mr Tunidau’s father bore the responsibility of providing for them.
At first, he accepted various temporary jobs, doing whatever work was available, but eventually he secured a permanent position as a security officer with the Ministry of Health. His mother, who was equally committed to the family’s well-being, earned small payments by washing clothes and cleaning houses for relatives.
“Their determination and resilience during those years laid the foundation for all that we, their children, would later achieve,” Mr Tunidau said.
Because the family has no permanent residence in Suva, they stayed with different relatives for a time and though the experience was not easy, it instilled in the Tunidau children the values of humility, endurance and family support.
“In due course, my father decided to build a modest home for us in a squatter settlement in Nasinu, now known as Kilikali Settlement. Though simple, this home gave us a sense of belonging and stability.”
While life in a squatter settlement is undeniably challenging, with limited resources and daily struggles, Mr Tunidau expressed his gratitude to his father for his initiative and faithfulness in carrying out his fatherly role to provide for them.
To serve God
After pledging his life to Christ and into his final year at FIT studying industrial laboratory technology, Mr Tunidau approached his parents to request a change in his career path.
“My father had invested much hope in my completing my studies and securing employment to assist the family financially. His tireless labour as a security officer naturally led him to anticipate the fruit of his sacrifices through my professional success,” he said.
“When I informed him of my desire to abandon that path and pursue the call to ministry, he was deeply disappointed.”
His mother on the other hand was supportive of his decision. Grounded in her strong spiritual convictions, she valued the transformation in her son’s life, as well as his determination to walk with God, more than any worldly achievement.
In truth, the young Viliame Tunidau had made up his mind the moment he decided to follow the Lord Jesus, he wanted to become a talatala. It was never an ambition he ever entertained during his days at school or at FIT.
“Yet, following my encounter with Christ, the call to ministry became unmistakable. With persistence, I approached my father a second time, and through God’s grace, he eventually granted me his blessing.”
m Next week we delve into Major Reverend Tunidau’s theological training and the spiritual and physical challenges he encountered.
View from the hill along the road heading towards Yaroi in Matuku, Reverend Tunidau’s home island. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
Major Reverend Tunidau tending to his flock.
Picture: RFMF
Major Reverend Tunidau bids farewell to a member of the RFMF departing for peacekeeping duties. Picture: RFMF
Major Reverend Tunidau administers a communion service at the home of RFMF commander, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai. Picture: RFMF
Derrick Campus, the home of the Fiji Institute of Technology now the Fiji National University, where Major Reverend Tunidau studied after high school. Picture: FNU
