NADROGA NAVOSA is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji, and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest and principal island. The province includes the Mamanuca Archipelago, off the west coast of Viti Levu, as well as remote Conway Reef in the southwest. The population of the Province at the 2007 census, the last to date, was 58,387 - the fifth largest of any province. The main town in Nadroga-Navosa is Sigatoka, with a population of 9622 (2007 Census).[1].
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Nadroga-Navosa includes the districts of Cuvu, Nasigatoka, Tuva, Malomalo, Wai, Malolo, Naqalimare, Namataku, Noikoro, Conua, Raviravi, Nokonoko, Waicoba, Mavua, Bemana, Navatusila, Koroinasau, Komave, Korolevu I Wai, Nasikawa, Nadrau, and Vatulele. The population is quite dispersed between the coastal and hinterlands, although major economic activity is focused more towards the coast where tourism and sugar are important sources of income.
The Province comes under the administrative jursidiction of the Fiji Ministry of Itaukei Affairs through the Provincial Council. The council is chaired by Na Kalevu Ratu Sakiusa Makutu, who is also the traditional paramount chief of the province. Ratu Sakiua is one of Fiji's hereditary chiefs who still exert a lot of political clout over the native Fijian population and take active part in national affairs. Nadroga/Navosa's principal town is Sigatoka situated near the mouth of the Sigatoka River. The province normally has three representatives in the Fiji Parliament.
On the 5th of November 2008, the Interim Indigenous Affairs Minister announced a proposal to separate the provincial administrative boundaries of Navosa from Nadroga into two separate provinces. This idea has been endorsed by the Kalevu, the paramount chief of Nadroga/Navosa.
Famous Sons and Daughters of Nadroga include Dr Apisalome Naqasima, Dr Milika Naqasima (PHD Holder), Dr Uraia Naqasima, Peni Naqasima Snr(former Minister in the Alliance government), Dr Akuila Naqasima, Savenaca Narube (former reserve bank governor), Dr Kurusaqila (former speaker of parliament),Ratu Osea Gavidi(former MP), Viliame Gavoka(former head of fiji rugby and Fiji tourism),Noa Nadruku,Luke Erenavula,Lote Tuqiri,Akuila Uate,Napolioni Nalaga, Eminoni Batimala,Aisea Tuilevu,Aminiasi Natuiyaga,Aisea Batibasaga,Isimeli Batibasaga,Isei Nasiganiyavi, Isa Nacewa, Leveni Vatureba, Peceli Kina, Dale tonawai,Mitieli Nacagilevu, Peniasi Damu, Isoa Damudamu, Orisi Basiyalo, Pita Naruma, Rt Mosese Volavola, Isikeli Basiyalo, Joeli Lutumailagi, Paula Karatu etc etc.
Nadroga/Navosa province is a famous tourist destination in Fiji as it's coastal belt is a cental part of Fiji's Coral Coast containing Fiji's leading 5-start hotels and resorts such as the Shangri-La Fijian Resort, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, Warwick Resort, Natadola Bay Resort, and others. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes, a world heritage site and one of Fiji's principal archeological and historical locations is situated in the province, about half-a-mile from Sigatoka Town. In July 1989, the dunes were designated as Fiji's first National Park under the management of the National Trust of Fiji Islands.[2] This distinct feature covers an area of 650 hectares and offers a rich combination of geomorphological, ecological, cultural and aesthetical attributes. The National Park is of great importance for educational and recreational use and is a milestone in Fiji's drive for environment.The Sigatoka valley is known as the salad bowl of Fiji. conservation.[3]
Nadroga is a famous sporting hub of the Fiji Islands. The Nadroga rugby team currently holds the prestigious BSP Farebrother-Sullivan Cup (and the Digicel Cup). The Farebrother-Sullivan Cup is the Holy Grail of Fiji rugby. Fiji's second largest sporting arena - Lawaqa Park, second only in size to the National Stadium, is located in the province's capital of Sigatoka. Nadroga is also famous for the annual Bilibili Race [4] a festive sporting event involving employees of the province's hotels and resorts, located along the Coral Coast. Apart from the tug-of-war, sack race and other competitions, the highlight of the event is the famous "bilibili" (bamboo raft) race across the Sigatoka River.
The Nadroga rugby team is the most successful and greatest provincial rugby team in Fiji rugby history, as of the [5] they have retained Fiji rugby's premier trophy the Farebrother- Sullivan Cup for a record 81 times since the inception of the Farebrother-Sullivan challenge. It held the Farebrother Sullivan Cup for a record 9 years in-a-row from 1971 to 1979. The team known as the "Stallions" have also held the Fiji Rugby Union Cup (under various sponsorship names)a record 19 times. Nadroga has contributed the highest number of rugby players to the Fiji National rugby 15s and 7s teams than any other team in Fiji rugby history. The team's junior grade (U20 & U21) has equally been successful.
Nadroga/Navosa province has also produced Fiji boxing champions like Mitieli Navuilawa, Paula Kavika, Niko Degei, Mosese Kavika and Sakeasi Dakua. The province have produced rugby league internationals like Lote Tuqiri,Noa Nadruku and Akuila Uate. In football ,they have been fiji champions on 3 occasions, In athletics, Nadroga/Navosa has produced outstanding athletes like Napolioni Kurucibi, Mereoni Vibose , Temesia Kaumaiya and paralympic athlete Iliesa Delana the 2011 IPC athletics world championship silver medalist.
As the province in which Fiji's famous 'Salad Bowl' is situated Nadroga/Navosa is a prolific producer of vegetables, roots, fruits and other agricultural products. It is also the hub of the Coral Coast - a strip of Western Fiji containing a large number of hotels and resorts and a key tourist destination in Fiji. The province is one of Fiji's sugar producing areas, however the number of farms and production have decline in the past 10 years. [6] Cattle (beef) farming used to be a major economic activity led by the government-supported Yalavou Cattle Scheme, however this has also declined in recent years.
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