Tailevu Provincial Council chairperson Semi Matalau has supported recent calls to limit the use of traditional veisorosorovi or reconciliation protocols in cases of major crimes such as rape and assault.
“There are boundaries to everything,” he said.
“Major crimes cannot be solved through veisorosorovi. We must focus on prevention before these crimes happen.
“We go on preventative mode, rather than correcting it after it’s been done.”
His comments follow concerns raised by the Great Council of Chiefs about the misuse of traditional practices in criminal cases.
Mr Matalau said the province would adopt a preventative approach, emphasising community education and leadership reform.
“We need to change mentality, starting with leadership in the vanua, the churches, and our homes.”
The council is calling for NGOs and youth groups to get on board and raise awareness on social issues and promote community safety.
Council highlights key priorities
EDUCATION, youth empowerment, and women’s participation are key priorities for the Tailevu Provincial Council’s two-day meeting agenda.
Council chairperson Semi Matalau said the meeting would review resolutions from last year’s session and discuss ways to improve education and community development.
“We want to promote education, empower women and youths, and strengthen social values in our province,” he said.
The council is also addressing economic development, spiritual growth, and social issues including HIV/AIDS raised by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo, during the opening.
“We are trying to build a balanced approach, one that values both moral and economic progress.”
The council’s budget discussions will also include proposed funding for education and youth programs for 2026.
There are also plans to establish a new koro ni yasana (provincial council village) at Vunivivi Hill in Nausori, a move aimed at creating a central hub for provincial development and administration.
Mr Matalau said the declaration by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources was a “success story” from last year’s resolutions.
“We urgently need a koro ni yasana, not only for Nausori but also for Korovou.”
The new provincial village will include meeting spaces for chiefs, women, youth, and staff quarters for provincial workers.
A similar development is also planned for Korovou where survey work has already been completed.
