The Push for Consensus and Constitutional Review

High Chief Ratu Tevita Mara calls for national consensus on whether to use "Fijian" or "Fiji Islander" as a common identity, emphasizing ethnic diversity.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 4:55 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Distinguishing Nationality from Ethnic Heritage

A central tenet of Ratu Tevita’s position is the sharp distinction between civic nationality and cultural ethnicity. He argues that while all citizens share a common nationality, their distinct heritages—including iTaukei, Indo-Fijian, Rotuman, and Banaban—must be protected as separate identities. According to the 2017 census, indigenous iTaukei made up approximately 56.8% of the population, while Indo-Fijians accounted for 37.5%, a demographic balance that has shifted significantly since the 1980s due to high rates of emigration among the Indo-Fijian community.

Evaluation of the 1997 and 2013 Frameworks

The debate highlights a fundamental shift in Fiji’s legal language over the last three decades. Under the 1997 Constitution, the inclusive term for all citizens was "Fiji Islander," a designation Ratu Tevita describes as universally understood and inclusive. The 2013 Constitution, however, unilaterally rebranded all citizens as "Fijians" and officially termed indigenous people as "iTaukei." Ratu Tevita contends that this change stripped the indigenous population of their primary ethnic label without their free consent, creating long standing resentment that the current review process aims to address.

Proposed Options for a Unifying Identity

Ratu Tevita presented the CRC with two primary paths forward to resolve the identity crisis. The first option is a return to "Fiji Islander," which he views as a proven model of inclusive governance that respects both common nationality and specific ethnic roots. The second option is to maintain "Fijian" as the national name, but only if it is ratified through a genuine democratic process that reflects the will of the people. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has recently expressed support for the continued use of "Fijian" for all citizens, though the GCC's recent submission suggests a strong traditionalist push in the opposite direction.