The Miss Fiji Pageant committee has reaffirmed that Ailava Samuels remains Fiji’s official representative to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP), citing written confirmation from the MPIP Secretariat.
In a statement issued in response to comments by Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo, the committee said it was acting on instructions from the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Maciu Nalumisa, to proceed with Ms Samuels as Fiji’s representative.
“The pageant committee defers to the line minister … who has instructed the committee to proceed with Miss Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant,” the statement said.
The committee also said the Acting Prime Minister’s statement contradicted positions previously articulated by Sitiveni Rabuka and Maciu Katamotu, who had presented the same Cabinet paper for approval.
“This confirms that Government does not and will not interfere in the operational decisions of independent pageant organisations, including the selection and appointment of representatives to regional and international pageants,” the committee said, adding that such decisions are governed by the rules, licensing arrangements and affiliations of the organising bodies.
The committee said it had received written confirmation from the MPIP Secretariat formally recognising Ms Samuels as Fiji’s registered representative.
“Any attempt to remove Fiji’s representative will result in Fiji being left without any representative to the pageant,” the statement warned.
It added that following the Acting Prime Minister’s remarks, the line minister had again instructed the committee to disregard those comments and continue with preparations.
“Subsequent to Hon. Vosarogo’s statement, the line Minister … has further instructed the pageant committee to disregard it and continue with its planned preparation,” the statement said.
Preparations for the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026 are continuing, with Fiji set to host the regional event.
