Fijian taxpayers paid $850 for pounded kava during two overseas trips undertaken by Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu.
The expenditure was revealed in a written parliamentary response detailing official overseas travel by Government ministers between May 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.
According to the response, taxpayers paid $550 for pounded kava during Dr Lalabalavu’s visit to the United States for the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The same trip also cost taxpayers $30,702 in airfares, $10,573.32 in allowances and $157.52 for a Pure Fiji gift pack.
The total Government expenditure for the US visit was $41,982.84.
A further $300 in taxpayers’ money was spent on pounded kava during the Minister’s visit to Japan for the Universal Health Coverage High-Level Forum.
The Fiji Government also paid $1,428.23 in allowances for the Japan visit, while the World Bank Group, World Health Organization and Japanese Government covered business-class airfares costing $16,817.41.
The parliamentary response did not explain why the kava was purchased or how it was used during the two official engagements.
The figures were disclosed in response to Written Question 247/2026 by Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu, who requested details of overseas travel undertaken by the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Assistant Ministers.
Overall, taxpayers paid $120,259.42 towards nine overseas trips undertaken by Dr Lalabalavu during the reporting period.
Other expenses included $23,300 in airfares for the Minister’s attendance at the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in India and $21,554 in airfares for a separate state visit to India.
The parliamentary response also recorded a $16,351.46 business-class upgrade for a visit to Cambodia, along with $5,791.07 in per diem allowances.
Several other trips received financial assistance from international organisations and foreign governments.
