Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance

01/09/2026

🇫🇯 **COLA VINA NODA VITI – TOSO MAI RESOURCE OWNERS**

Au sa kerekere vei kemuni na **iTaukei Resource Owners** kece e Viti: meda kua ni solia vakarawarawa na noda **business opportunities** vei ira tale eso, vakabibi na **taxi, transfers kei na transport business** ena vei otela era vakayagataka tiko na noda qele.

Sa gauna meda **vakaitavi vakadodonu ena business e tubu mai na noda resources**. Meda taukena na noda business, taukena na noda vehicles, rawata na contracts, vakacakacakataki ira na noda tamata, ka vakatubura na bula vakailavo ni noda Vanua.

Sa rauta na noda dau solia walega na **consent kei na support letters** ka qai ra cicivaka na business eso tale. Na noda support me lako vata kei na **economic participation kei na business opportunities** vei ira na Resource Owners.

Au vakavinavinaka vei ira na veiliutaki kei na stakeholders era sa veitokoni tiko ena kena vakaukauwataki na nodra economic participation na iTaukei Resource Owners. Na noda inaki me ra cakacaka vata na **Vanua, Government, LTA, TLTB, investors kei na Resource Owners** ena dua na sala e dodonu, vakalawa ka sustainable.

Kevaka e dredre vei kemuni na kena vakarautaki na **business structure, licensing, financing se hotel contract**, veitaratara mai kei na **Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA)**. Keitou na rawa ni veivuke ena veisemati, veivakasalataki kei na kena vakarautaki na Resource Owner businesses me rawa ni ra muria na lawa kei na commercial requirements.

**Sa gauna ni action. Sa gauna ni ownership. Sa gauna meda kania talega na uro ni business e tubu mai na noda resources.**

🇫🇯 **Toso mai Viti! Me Dei na Vanua, me tubu na noda business, ka me rawaka na noda kawa mai muri.** 🙏🏽

01/09/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

VANUA O NALOLO CALLS FOR RETURN OF 12,000-ACRE QOLIQOLI FOLLOWING WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT FOR CORAL LAGOON DEVELOPMENT

1 September 2026

The Vanua o Nalolo Council of Chiefs wishes to formally advise the Government, relevant authorities, the people of Fiji and the international investment community of our final position regarding the Coral Lagoon Development.

Following the Bose Vanua held at Lomawai Village, the Vanua o Nalolo, through the Tui Nalolo, Turaga ni Yavusa and its traditional leadership, resolved that the Vanua no longer wishes to continue its development arrangements with Coral Lagoon Development Pte Ltd.

The Vanua has formally withdrawn its consent and waiver relating to the proposed foreshore development, covering approximately 12,000 acres of our qoliqoli.

Our signed resolution and withdrawal have already been submitted to the Minister for Lands and other relevant Government authorities.

12,000 ACRES IS A SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE

Twelve thousand acres is not a small area.

This is an enormous part of the traditional resources of the Vanua o Nalolo, and it carries economic, environmental and cultural importance for our people and our future generations.

The Vanua entered into the original arrangements in good faith because we recognised the potential benefits that responsible development could bring to our people.

We did our part.

However, according to the Vanua’s understanding of the agreement, certain financial obligations were required to be fulfilled within 90 days. Despite further time and opportunities being provided, those obligations remained outstanding well beyond that period.

The Vanua therefore reached a point where we could no longer continue waiting.

We have withdrawn our consent, and our position is that the approximately 12,000 acres of qoliqoli should be released from the existing development arrangements, subject to the appropriate Government and legal processes, so that the Vanua can move forward.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY

I want this point to be very clear:

This decision is not simply about money. It is about honouring an agreement.

When the Vanua signs an agreement, we are expected to honour our obligations.

We expect exactly the same from an investor.

If we accept agreements that are continually delayed or not honoured today, we create a dangerous precedent for our children and future generations.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to protect them.

THE VANUA IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD

There is significant interest from other potential investors who wish to discuss development opportunities with the Vanua.

Our position is therefore clear: we respectfully request the Government to urgently determine the status of the existing Coral Lagoon arrangements following our withdrawal of consent and allow the Vanua to move forward.

We want genuine development.

We want investment.

We want employment and business opportunities.

But most importantly, we want development built on respect, transparency and agreements that are honoured by both parties.

MESSAGE FROM THE VITI INDIGENOUS TOURISM ALLIANCE

As President of the Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA), I also want this case to send a positive but firm message to investors considering partnerships with Indigenous resource owners throughout Fiji:

Come and invest in Fiji. Work with our resource owners. Develop our resources together. But when you enter into an agreement with the Vanua, honour that agreement.

Resource owners must not simply be observers while their land, qoliqoli and natural resources are developed.

They must be respected as partners.

Vanua o Nalolo has made its decision.

Our traditional leadership has spoken.

Our withdrawal of consent has been submitted.

We now respectfully call upon the Government of Fiji, the Minister for Lands and all relevant authorities to urgently conclude the necessary process regarding the existing Coral Lagoon development arrangements so that the Vanua can regain full opportunity to determine the future development of its approximately 12,000-acre qoliqoli.

This is about protecting our resources today so that our children and generations yet to come can benefit tomorrow.

Agreements must be honoured. Resource owners must be respected. Future generations must be protected.

Vinaka vakalevu.

Sitiveni Leseitoga Nawaqa
Chairman – Vanua o Nalolo Council of Chiefs
President – Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA)
For and on behalf of the Vanua o Nalolo

24/08/2026

🌊🇫🇯 VITA WELCOMES CUMA – A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR RESOURCE OWNERS

The Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA) is excited about the CUMA Bill and looks forward to supporting Taukei ni Qoliqoli and Resource Owners throughout Fiji.

Our President, Mr Sitiveni Nawaqa, said VITA's focus will be on understanding and verifying the CUMA framework, discussing practical strategies with Resource Owners, and helping Vanua organise and prepare themselves to align with the Government's implementation of CUMA.

Our goal is to ensure Resource Owners understand the opportunities, responsibilities and processes involved so they can participate meaningfully and sustainably.

We also call on everyone to support the **Viti Reggae Festival this October. The Festival will help raise funds for VITA's work and support our mission to reach Resource Owners and communities across Fiji as part of our 2030 Action Plan.

General Secretary Miss Malani
Contact: 809 2946
Email: [email protected]

Organise the Vanua • Empower Taukei ni Qoliqoli • Create Opportunities • Build for Future Generations🇫🇯🌊

Vinaka vakalevu for supporting VITA and our Resource Owners. 🙏🏽 Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance

19/08/2026

🇫🇯 CONGRATULATIONS FIJI — CUMA HAS PASSED PARLIAMENT 🇫🇯

Today is a proud and important moment for our iTaukei Resource Owners, our Vanua, and the people of Fiji.

I would like to congratulate the Government of the day, Parliament, and everyone who has supported the CUMA legislation.

For our Resource Owners, this is not the end of the journey — this is the beginning of a new chapter of economic empowerment.

For many years, our people have watched development take place within and around our traditional marine resources while having limited participation in the economic benefits. CUMA creates an opportunity for us to move forward with greater recognition, participation and partnership.

Now is the time for every Vanua and every Resource Owner to become VANUA READY.

That means preparing:

* Strong and transparent governance structures
* Proper Trust Deeds and accountable trustees
* 100% Vanua-owned business companies where appropriate
* Clear financial systems
* Business and development plans
* Proper representation of all Yavusa, Mataqali and Tokatoka

Through the Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA), we are ready and willing to assist Resource Owners around Fiji to organise themselves and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

Our vision is not simply about receiving money. It is about empowering our people to become business owners, employers, suppliers, investors and genuine partners in development.

We continue to welcome investors. We welcome development. But development must also recognise and create meaningful benefits for the Resource Owners whose traditional resources are involved.

Government + Investors + Resource Owners must sit together at the same table.

Congratulations once again to the Government, Parliament, our Resource Owners and the people of Fiji.

A new chapter has begun. Let us prepare our Vanua properly and make sure these opportunities benefit our people and our future generations.

🇫🇯 For our Vanua.
For our Resource Owners.
For our future generations.

Vinaka vakalevu.

Sitiveni Nawaqa
President
Viti Indigenous Tourism Alliance (VITA)

14/08/2026

VITA highlights untapped tourism opportunities – FBC News

Many Indigenous resource owners, farmers, and cooperatives miss out on wider economic opportunities within Fiji’s tourism sector, leaving the potential to supply goods and services to resorts largely untapped.

05/08/2026

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