The Turaga na Tui Nayau, Tui Lau and sau ni vanua o Lau, Ratu Tevita Mara has called for the people of Fiji to decide through democratic process whether their national identity should be “Fiji Islander” or “Fijian”, declaring that the 2013 Constitution stripped indigenous people of their ethnic identity without consultation.
Ratu Tevita issued the statement as Fiji’s constitutional review committee continues to receive public submissions on the contentious identity question that has divided the nation for over a decade.
Ratu Tevita put forward two options for the constitutional review committee to consider.
The first is a return to “Fiji Islander” — the pre-2013 national identity he described as “universally understood, internationally recognised, and inclusive of all communities without displacing any ethnic identity.”
The second is retaining “Fijian” as the national identity, but only if arrived at through genuine public consent.
“Either option is recognisable on the world stage,” he said.
“What matters most is that the choice belongs to the people of Fiji — arrived at freely, fairly, and through proper democratic process.”
Ratu Tevita drew a firm distinction between nationality and ethnicity, arguing that conflating the two had caused lasting damage to national unity. “Nationality is the civic identity we share as citizens of this nation. Ethnicity is the heritage, culture, and ancestry that makes each of our communities beautifully distinct.”
“These are two distinct things. Conflating them whether by accident or by design is causing confusion and harm to our national unity.”
On the Great Council of Chiefs’ submission advocating for “Fijian” to be retained as the identity of indigenous people, Ratu Tevita said the spirit of the position was correct but expressed concern about its clarity.
“I stand in solidarity with its intent,” he said, adding that the GCC’s position aligned with his broader principle that “the ethnic identity of the indigenous Fijian people, and all our distinct ethnic communities, must be protected, recognised, and never again removed without their full and free consent.”
Ratu Tevita said he spoke “as an ordinary citizen of Fiji, guided by conscience and civic duty,” and called for the debate to be resolved with honesty and respect.
“The debate around our common identity in Fiji is one that touches the very soul of our nation, and it deserves honest, respectful, and consultative resolution. We owe that much to each and every one who calls Fiji home.”
