From UNDP Pacific Office (31 October 2026)

127 Rotuman's Certified Under Boatmaster Licence Training to Strengthen Safety at Sea

The Boatmaster and Restricted Master Engineer 6 training is a milestone that strengthens maritime safety, resilience, and livelihoods across the island.

Oinafa, Rotuma, Fiji - Communities, elders, and young people from all seven districts of Rotuma came together this week to celebrate the graduation of 127 participants who successfully completed the Boatmaster and Restricted Master Engineer 6 training, a milestone that strengthens maritime safety, resilience, and livelihoods across the island.

Delivered through a partnership between the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, the Fiji Police Force, the Republic of the Fiji Navy, the Fiji Revenue Customs Authority and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and supported by the Government of the United Kingdom, the training forms part of the Maritime Security Project under Fiji's National Security Strategy.

The project is implemented under the Solesolevaki ni Veitaqomaki model, a community-based approach that promotes shared responsibility between government, security agencies, and local communities to ensure safer seas and stronger maritime governance.

British High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Kanbar Hossein Bor reassured graduates stating:

"It is an honour to be the latest British High Commissioner to Fiji to have been invited here, marking the latest chapter in the UK's relationship with Rotuma, which has been ever strengthening for nearly 150 years since 1881."

"Your achievement today is not only a personal milestone but a contribution to the safety and prosperity of your island. You are now stewards of the sea, and your leadership will be vital in protecting your people and your environment," His Excellency Bor added.

Deputy Secretary of Defence, Ms Sainitiki Ravuso said:

"Through this initiative, the Ministry of Defence is building stronger connections between communities and the nation's maritime security system, ensuring that every journey, every operator, and every island contributes to the safety of the island.

Chairman of the Rotuma Council, Gagaj Samuela Manav was highly appreciative of the training being brought to the island:

"It has always been a big challenge for us to access such opportunities from here. The training has not only equipped our people with vital maritime skills but also strengthened our community's capacity to protect lives and support safe travel between our districts."

The British High Commission's support also included the handover of essential maritime safety equipment to strengthen community-led efforts in ensuring safe travel, livelihoods, and protection of the marine environment.

Over 660 individuals, including women, youths and people with disabilities across Fiji's maritime regions have received certification through this training programme, equipping island communities with the knowledge and confidence to respond to emergencies, strengthen inter-island transport, and uphold a culture of safety at sea.

UNDP remains committed to working hand in hand with the Government of Fiji, the British High Commission, and the people of Rotuma to build safer, more resilient maritime communities, ensuring that no island is left behind in the journey toward secure and sustainable livelihoods.

From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (30 October 2025)

Government reinstates commissioner role for Rotuma

By Kelera Ditaiki

The Government has re-established the position of Commissioner for Rotuma, appointing Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala, Permanent Secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister, to the role.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced the decision, highlighting the move as a reaffirmation of Fiji’s commitment to strengthening its historic relationship with Rotuma.

The position had been vacant since 2010. With its reinstatement at the Permanent Secretary level, Rotuma’s development needs will now be directly coordinated through the central government.

The Commissioner will oversee all government services to the island and serve as a key link between the Council of Rotuma and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Following consultations on Rotuma law reforms, Prime Minister Rabuka emphasized the urgency of improving basic services and restoring dignity to the Rotuman people.

Dr Korovavala says he looks forward to working closely with the Council and community to advance development and service delivery.

From Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (20 October 2025)

Family reunion unites Riamkau Sau II descendants in Fiji

By Maraia Tawake

Descendants of the late Riamkau Sau II, a respected Rotuman chief have gathered in Fiji for a week-long reunion.

The family is celebrating their roots and shared heritage.

More than a thousand relatives have travelled from Rotuma, Fiji, the United States and Canada. The event has been filled with laughter, stories and heartfelt moments as families meet, some for the first time.

Event organiser Sylvia Joe, a descendant of Riamkau Sau II states that this reunion is more than a gathering.

"It stands as a bridge between generations and a reminder of the strength and pride carried through their bloodline."

Joe shared that it has been an emotional experience for many.

She said meeting relatives for the first time has been amazing, as it allowed them to share stories, reconnect with their roots and strengthen their bond as one family.

The celebration has sparked new energy among the descendants.

The reunion is happening at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva and plans are already in motion for future reunions and projects to keep their history and culture alive.

From Fiji Times (4 October 2025)

Editorial comment | Powering progress

By Fred Wesley

The revelation that three of our maritime islands are set to get 24-hour electricity under a $2.5million project backed by the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand is cause for celebration.

It's the best news in a very long time. In fact, this is going to be met with enthusiasm, and great joy.

It's the way to go! And it has been a long time coming!

The LAKARO (Lakeba, Kadavu, and Rotuma) Rural Government Station Project, first launched in 2015 with solar systems to supplement diesel, ran into technical failures in 2019 and has since relied on costly generators. We learn that the Government spends about $200,000 annually per site on fuel, while residents face a restricted supply of just 12 hours a day.

Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau told Parliament the new agreement, signed at COP28 in Dubai, would upgrade the systems with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to allow smooth integration of solar and diesel and stabilise the grid.

Once complete in April 2026, the project will cut government fuel costs by 45-50 per cent and bring reliable, clean energy to about 10,000 people.

Ro Filipe said upgrades were vital for communities that host hospitals, schools, government facilities, and wharves.

The completion of the projects, he said, would provide 24-hour uninterrupted electricity supply and significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuel or diesel.

Continuous electricity, he added, would allow Vunisea, Lakeba, and Rotuma to grow into economic hubs, with reliable power to support small businesses, homestays, and public services.

This development is about transformation.

For decades, our outer islands have struggled with intermittent power, a heavy reliance on diesel, and the limitations that come with an unreliable energy supply.

On Rotuma, for instance, residents have had to ration power, living with restrictions that most urban dwellers would find unthinkable. Without reliable electricity, medical facilities are constrained, refrigeration for vital medicines is difficult, and emergency care becomes a matter of uncertainty. Students have missed out on the opportunities that stable power and internet connectivity offer.

Let's face it, electricity is a backbone of development. It enables empowerment at the household, community, and national levels. With reliable power, children can study after dark, families can store food safely, health centres can run essential equipment, and small businesses can flourish. The economic opportunities are endless. Islands that were once held back by energy limitations can now attract new investment, grow local industries, and build livelihoods around tourism, agriculture, and innovation.

For homestays and eco-tourism operators in Kadavu, for instance, dependable electricity means offering visitors a better experience. For farmers on Lakeba, it means being able to process, preserve, and market produce with confidence. For Rotuma, it represents a chance to break free from decades of isolation caused by inadequate infrastructure.

But the heart of this project is about dignity and equity. It is about ensuring that every Fijian, no matter where they live, enjoys the same basic services as those in Suva or Nadi.

As the project moves toward completion, it stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when international partners and government collaborate.

Reliable, clean, and affordable electricity will raise the standard of living for thousands of our citizens. It will connect them to the world, support their ambitions, and inspire confidence in their future.

From Fiji Times (3 October 2025)

Maritime islands to get 24/7 power boost

By Cheerieann Wilson

Three of Fiji's maritime islands are set to get 24-hour electricity under a $2.5million project backed by the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand.

The LAKARO (Lakeba, Kadavu, and Rotuma) Rural Government Station Project, first launched in 2015 with solar systems to supplement diesel, ran into technical failures in 2019 and has since relied solely on costly generators.

The Government spends about $200,000 annually per site on fuel, while residents face a restricted supply of just 12 hours a day.

Public Works Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau told Parliament the new agreement, signed at COP28 in Dubai, would upgrade the systems with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to allow smooth integration of solar and diesel and stabilise the grid.

"For Vunisea on Kadavu, the installation will consist of a 209 kW solar system and 420 kWh of battery storage. For Lakeba and Rotuma, the systems will consist of 143 kW solar and 280 kWh storage each," he said.

Once complete in April 2026, the project will cut government fuel costs by 45-50 per cent and bring reliable, clean energy to about 10,000 people.

Ro Filipe said upgrades were vital for communities that host hospitals, schools, government facilities, and wharves.

"The completion of these projects will provide 24-hour uninterrupted electricity supply and, in turn, significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuel or diesel," he said.

He added that continuous electricity would allow Vunisea, Lakeba, and Rotuma to grow into economic hubs, with reliable power to support small businesses, homestays, and public services.

"This is a critical project that will not only improve the quality of life but also unlock economic potential across our maritime provinces."