Fiji Identity Crisis: Fijians Are Indigenous Fijians & Others From Fiji Are Fiji Islanders & Identified By Their Ethnicity.

A Letter set electronically to;

The Chief Executive Officer 

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage

PO Box 5364
Wellington 6145
New Zealand

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Kia ora & Bula;

In reference to your stories;

 Story: Fijians : Page 1 – The Fijian community in Teara

I am writing to indicate my concern, as a Fijian Language Interpreter in Wellington, New Zealand.

Your title already explains us as Fiji Islanders, to be all the same ethnicity, when in essence, we are not. 

The use of the label 'Taukei' in New Zealand can only be claimed by Maori (s) or Tangata Whenua as they are the Indigenous Peoples here in Aotearoa. Therefore, your article is incorrect in this instance. 

For those of us that are Indigenous Fijians both in Fiji and in Aotearoa or globally have yet to give our consent in this label change.

The Fiji Constitution 2013 of which your labeling refers to in this tag or label change is being debated todate. In our view 1997 Fiji Constitution reads all Fiji Peoples are Fiji Islanders and ought to remain so until the case has been resolved.

To label us as Taukei in Aotearoa is wrong as Maori (s) are the Taukei here and not Fijians. There is no such Race or Ethnicity called Taukei. This has no identifier as anyone can be a taukei of anything. It is a street label so to speak.

It is our hope that you will tread with caution when describing or writing about Indigenous Fijians in Aotearoa as we view ourselves as Fijians hence the Fijian Language etc.

Kia kaha & Vinaka,

Elisapeci Samanunu Waqanivala

Fijian Language Interpreter

Oral Historian Researcher - Fijian History & Scholarly Research

email: elisapeci1911@gmail.com

A Watch Forum on Activities of Fiji Groups In New Zealand: For Research & Education Purpose.

Ni sa Bula Vinaka & Kia ora


The purpose of this forum is to monitor and collate information on the range of groups being created in New Zealand by Fiji people residing here. It collates information for the purpose of Oral History  of People from Fiji  or with Fiji connections living in New Zealand.

Formation of New Zealand National Council of Fiji Communities.

It is aimed at all segments of Fiji Societies in New Zealand irrespective of Race, Creed, Colour, Educational Background, Status and more.


It will have an Educational Research segment to enable those of Fiji descent to find their connections with Fiji relatives or Rural Fijian Villages for the Indigenous Fijians Communities. Researchers and Friends of Fiji are duly welcome to share their post or experiences of Fiji. Fiji Business ventures will also be included in order to share information with any individual wishing to venture into this field as Entrepreneurs.