List of Fijians
Lists of Fijians |
Politicians Other community leaders: |
This list comprises Fijian citizens, and some foreigners associated with Fiji. For the sake of size, persons who could be listed under multiple categories should generally be listed only under the category for which they are best known.
The term Fijian is used here in a national rather than an ethnic sense.
Academic leaders
- Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji
- Brij Lal, historian
- Paresh Narayan, Fiji-born Australian academic
- Sarojini Pillay, Registrar of the University of Fiji
- Swami Rudrananda, founder of the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam
- Savenaca Siwatibau, academic leader; Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (1940–2003)
Activists
- Shamima Ali, political activist and women's rights campaigner
- Sharon Baghwan-Rolls, political activist and women's rights campaigner
- Angie Heffernan, political activist
- Jiko Luveni, dentist and AIDS campaigner
- Anirudh Singh, opposed the imposition of the 1990 constitution
- Suliana Siwatibau, political activist
Business people
- Imraz Iqbal, political activist, businessman, former journalist
- Haji Punja (born 1937), business tycoon
- Dr Nur Bano Ali, business tycoon, Managing Partner Aliz Pacific, President and Founder Women in Business, President Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairperson South Pacific Stock Exchange
- Ballu Khan, business tycoon
- Shivlal Nagindas, Labasa businessman and former Senator
- Josateki Nawalowalo, businessman and Chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council
- Dixon Seeto, business tycoon and President of the Chinese Association of Fiji
- Mere Samisoni, business woman and Member of Parliament
- Ram Singh, India-born businessman
- Rajnesh Singh, businessman and technologist
- Davila Toganivalu, businesswoman and newspaper publisher
- Sangeeta Niranjan: businesswoman
- Taito Waradi, President of the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Sunil Sharma, Partner at Aliz Pacific, one of the leading accounting firms in Fiji and is Secretary/Treasurer of Suva Chamber of Commerce & Industry
- Lokeshani Kumar, Business Tycoon and Hospitality Owner/Operator, Originally from Lautoka, Fiji. Currently residing in London, Ontario, Canada.
Chiefs
Note: for the sake of size, the following list of chiefs excludes chiefs who are listed in other categories, such as politicians, etc.
- Meli Bolobolo, Tui Navitilevu, a High Chief of Ra Province
- Epenisa Cakobau, Bauan chief
- Epeli Kanakana, Fijian chief (Tui Suva)
- Aisea Katonivere, Tui Macuata (paramount chief of Macuata)
- Penaia Kadavulevu, Vunivalu of Bau (1901–1914)
- Joni Madraiwiwi I, chief (1859–1920)
- Epeli Nailatikau I (1842–1901), Vunivalu of Bau
- Niumataiwalu, founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty in the Lau Islands
- Rasolo, first Tui Nayau
- Maculeku Rokocegu, Tui Dreketi
- Joana Rokomatu, Tui Sigatoka
- Jovesa Sovasova, Tui Vitogo (1942–2005)
- Taliai Tupou, Tui Nayau (d. 1875)
- Tarau of Tovu Totoya, Fijian chieftainess
- Udre Udre, 19th century cannibal
- Alifereti Finau Ulugalala, Tui Nayau (d. 1934)
- Uluilakeba I, successor to Rasolo (q.v.) as Tui Nayau, but not so installed
- Tanoa Visawaqa, Vunivalu of Bau (1800s)
Civil servants
- Rodney Acraman, Ombudsman and Chairman of the Fiji Human Rights Commission (December 2006–present)
- Meli Bainimarama, CEO of Fijian Affairs Board (December 2006-January 2007; subsequently reemployed as an advisor to the board)
- Joseph Browne
- Hector Hatch, former Chairman of the Public Service Commission
- Stuart Huggett, former Chairman of the Public Service Commission
- Anare Jale, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Commission; former Ambassador to the United States
- Lesi Korovavala, Chief Executive Officer of the Home Affairs Ministry
- Joji Kotobalavu, Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Minister's Department
- Viliame Naupoto, Former Navy Commander; Director of Immigration from January 2007 (no longer holding this position, now the current Minister for Youth and Sports).
- Litia Qionibaravi, Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Affairs Board
- Rishi Ram, Chairman of the Public Service Commission and former Ambassador to Japan
- Peter Ridgeway, former Deputy Director of Prosecutions
- Shaista Shameem, director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission
- Aisea Taoka, Commissioner of Prisons
- Sakiusa Tuisolia, former Chief Executive Officer of Airports Fiji Limited
- Tevita Vakalalabure, Senator, President of the Senate, member of the Great Council of Chiefs, member of House of Representatives, Vunivalu of Natewa
- Rakuita Vakalalabure, Deputy Speaker of the House, member of House of Representatives of Fiji
Entertainment & media
- Lagani Rabukawaqa, musician
- Laisa Vulakoro, singer
- The Island Warrior, actor
- Mike Howlett, musician
- Malumu ni Tobu kei Naivaukura, musician
- Savuto Vakadewavosa, singer
- DJ Ritendra, Disc Jockey
- Kula Kei Uluivuya, musician
- Cassius Khan, Classical tabla/Ghazal player now based in Vancouver, Canada
- Rebecca Singh, television news presenter, now based in New Zealand
Diplomats
- Poseci Bune, diplomat and politician
- George Konrote, diplomat and politician; Rotuman
- Epeli Nailatikau, Minister for Foreign Affairs (January 2006) and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
- Satya Nandan, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (1996–present)
- Isikia Savua, diplomat and former Police Commissioner
- Kaliopate Tavola, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2000–2006) and former Ambassador to Belgium
- Jesoni Vitusagavulu, businessman and diplomat, Ambassador to Washington (2005)
- Jeremaia Waqanisau, career soldier and diplomat; Ambassador to China
Jurists
- Daniel Fatiaki, Chief Justice (until 2002)
- Anthony Gates, Acting Chief Justice (since 16 January 2007)
- Sailosi Kepa, judge, diplomat, cabinet minister, ombudsman (1938–2004)
- Naomi Matanitobua, Chief Magistrate
- Ghananand Mishra, jurist (1916–2005)
- Sekove Naqiolevu, judge
- Nazhat Shameem, judge
- Ajit Swaran Singh, Fiji-born New Zealand judge
- Timoci Tuivaga, Chief Justice (1974–2002)
Military leaders
- Frank Bainimarama, Military Commander and interim Head of State (2000; 2006–2007); interim Prime Minister of Fiji (2007–present). Coup leader 2006-
- Jone Baledrokadroka, Lieutenant Colonel and former Acting Land Force Commander
- Pita Driti, Land Force Commander (as of early 2007)
- Francis Kean, Navy Commander (as of early 2007)
- Neumi Leweni, Army spokesman
- Tevita Mara, Army Major; Army Chief of Staff from February 2006
- Viliame Naupoto, Former Navy Commander; Director of Immigration from January 2007
- Sitiveni Rabuka, 1987 coup leader, later Prime Minister (1992–1999)
- Orisi Rabukawaqa, Army spokesman
- Meli Saubulinayau, senior Army officer
- Viliame Seruvakula, Army officer, who led the counteroffensive against the mutiny at Queen Elizabeth Barracks on 2 November 2000
- Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, war hero (Second World War)
- Esala Teleni, Naval Captain and Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (2007–present)
- Jeremaia Waqanisau, career soldier and diplomat; Ambassador to China
Police officers
- Kevueli Bulamainaivalu, Assistant Commissioner of Police - Crime
- Moses Driver, Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Andrew Hughes, Commissioner of Police
- Jahir Khan, Senior Superintendent of Police
- Jimi Koroi, Acting Commissioner of Police (2006–2007)
- Samuela Matakibau, Assistant Police Commissioner Operations
- Peter Ridgeway, former Deputy Director of Prosecutions
- Romanu Tikotikoca, Commissioner of Police
Political leaders
The size of this section necessitates a separate list. Lists are also included in the following articles about specific political offices:
- President of Fiji
- Vice-President of Fiji
- Prime Minister of Fiji
- Governor of Fiji
- Governor-General of Fiji
- Senate (Fiji)
- House of Representatives (Fiji)
- Speaker of the House of Representatives (Fiji)
- Cabinet (Fiji)
- Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs (Fiji)
- Leader of the Opposition (Fiji)
Religious leaders
- Kamlesh Arya, President Arya Pratinidhi Sabha
- Jabez Bryce, Anglican Bishop
- Apimeleki Qiliho, first indigenous Fijian Anglican Bishop
- Amy Chambers, Anglican priest
- Hannah Dudley, Methodist missionary
- Sadhu Kuppuswami, Hindu religious leader (1890–1956)
- Suliasi Kurulo, head of the Fiji- based Christian Mission Fellowship
- Kundan Singh Kush, Arya Samaj missionary
- Petero Mataca, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Fiji
- Gabriel Sharma, first Indo-Fijian Anglican Bishop
- Shri Krishna Sharma, Arya Samaj (Hindu) religious leader
- Sakiusa Sing, Roman Catholic priest and educator (1946–2005)
- Akuila Yabaki, clergyman and human rights activist
- Imam Fazlullah Tariq, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Missionary In-charge
Sportspeople
The size of this section warrants a separate list.
Unionists
- Ayodhya Prasad - founder of Kisan Sangh
- Baba Ram Chandra, India-born trade unionist
- Felix Anthony, FTUC General Secretary
- Vashist Muni - labour union organizer
- Timoci Naivaluwaqa, trade unionist (1953–2006)
- Pramod Rae - labour union organizer and National Federation Party Secretary
- Jagannath Sami - labour union organizer; suspended in late 2006 as Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Cane Growers Council
- Attar Singh - FITCU General Secretary
- Mehar Singh - founder of the Vishal Sangh
- Nirbhay Singh - CPSU official
- Totaram Sanadhya - labour union organizer
Miscellaneous
The following are Fijian public figures, who do not fit into one of the more specific categories.
- Maciu Navakasuasua, 2000 coup plotter
- Ben Padarath, 2006 election candidate, later imprisoned for manslaughter
- Josaia Waqabaca, former NVTLP activist turned coup-plot informer
- Tane Mumea, a character from the reboot of the SSX series, SSX 2012.
Non-resident Fiji Islanders
This section is for Fiji Islanders who are living abroad, or who have been naturalised as citizens of other countries. It also includes persons born abroad, but with Fijian roots.
- Trevor Butler, winner of Big Brother Australia 2004
- Paulini Curuenavuli, [Australia] an Australian-based singer and former member of the band; Young Divas; born in Suva, Fiji
- Sudesh Mishra, Australian poet. (Fiji-born, Indian descent)
- Cassius Khan, Canada Indian Classical Musician (born in Lautoka [1]
- Anand Satyanand, Governor-General of New Zealand. (Born in New Zealand to Fiji-born parents of Indian origin)
- Jason Singh, Australian-born singer (Fiji Indian father)
- Bobby Singh, Canadian football player (Fiji-born)
- Derek Boyer, born in Lautoka, Fiji; acted in DOA: Dead or Alive released in 2006
- Prerna Lal, American writer and attorney. (Fiji-born, Indian descent)
- Craig Parker, a New Zealand based actor born in Suva, Fiji; acted in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers etc.