KADAVU has filled about 90 percent of its chiefly titles, a milestone that sets it apart from most other provinces struggling with traditional leadership vacancies.
Kadavu Provincial Council chairman Isikeli Vuniwaqa said the province had made major progress in restoring its chiefly ranks, with only one or two titles still pending confirmation.
“We are glad we have been able to fill the seats of most of our chiefs,” Mr Vuniwaqa said.
“I may be wrong, but I believe that there are only one or two that now need to be confirmed or established by the NLC (Native Lands Commission). Otherwise, over 90 percent have already been endorsed and are installed.”
He said restoring customary titles could help strengthen traditional structures, especially in addressing the island’s growing drug crisis.
“The focus within the yasana is generally towards building an established village set up where the chiefs are seated and all the clans know their roles and the support functions that need to be taken on board by the villagers.”
Figures released by iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu in 2024 stated there were 6216 chiefly and customary titles across Fiji, but only 3065 had been confirmed at the time.
No updated national data has been released since.
