List of heads of state of Fiji

Tui Viti (King of Fiji) (1871–1874)

• Seru Epenisa Cakobau (5 June 1871 - 10 October 1874) (ceded Fiji to the United Kingdom)

Note that Cakobau had been the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau since 1852. He had long styled himself the Tui Viti (King of Fiji), but had not been recognized as such by other chiefs, and he exercised no direct authority outside his domain of Bau until he united the country under his leadership in 1871. His ancestors, going back as far as 1770, have often - erroneously - been listed as "Kings" of Fiji.

British and later Commonwealth Monarch (1874–1987)

From 1874 to 1970, the British Monarch was Fiji's formal Head of State. In 1970, Fiji became an independent Dominion, in the Commonwealth, whereas Queen Elizabeth II, took on the roll of Queen of Fiji.

• Victoria (10 October 1874 - 22 January 1901)
• Edward VII (22 January 1901 - 6 May 1910)
• George V (6 May 1910 - 20 January 1936)
• Edward VIII (20 January 1936 - 11 December 1936)
• George VI (11 December 1936 - 6 February 1952)
• Elizabeth II (6 February 1952 - 10 October 1970)
• Elizabeth II held the title of Queen of Fiji (10 October 1970 - 6 October 1987)†

†Ousted following military coup and proclamation of Republic.

Colonial Governors (1874–1970)

Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970. Although the British Monarch was the Head of State, in practice his or her functions were exercised in Fiji by the colonial Governor, who acted on instructions from the British government in London.

Governors-General (1970–1987)

Fiji became an independent Dominion within the Commonwealth on October 10 1970. The office of Governor was renamed Governor-General; the only change of function was that the Governor-General acted on the advice of the Fijian, rather than the British, government.

Presidents (1987–Present)

Fiji was proclaimed a republic on 7 October 1987, upon the abdication of Queen Elizabeth II following two military coups. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an interim administration, exercising the powers of the presidency but without taking the title, styling himself Head of the Interim Military Government instead. On 5 December that year, the last Governor General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, was appointed the first President. Ganilau served as President until 15 December 1993, when he died in office. He was succeeded by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

In the constitutional upheaval of 2000, following the forced resignation of President Mara on 29 May, Commodore Frank Bainimarama styled himself Head of the Interim Military Government (as had Rabuka in 1987), until Ratu Josefa Iloilo was appointed President on 13 July 2000. On 5 December 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama deposed the Fijian Government and President Iloilo and again become Head of the Interim Military Government. On 4 January 2007 Iloilo was restored to presidency, and remain President until 30 July 2009, when he retired and Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau become acting President. On 5 November 2009, Nailatikau was sworn in as President.

See also

• President of Fiji
• Prime Minister of Fiji