Province of Nadroga-Navosa Nadroga-Navoha | |
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Nickname: Province of Stallions | |
Motto: Hakwa Nadro | |
![]() Nadroga - South-Western corner of Vitilevu | |
Province | Nadroga-Navosa |
Island | Viti Levu |
Division | Western Division |
Government | |
Area | |
• Total | 921 sq mi (2,385 km2) |
Population (2017) | |
• Total | 58,931 |
Time zone | UTC+12 (1200 GMT) |
Nadroga-Navosa (Nadroga: Nadroga-Navoha) is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji's principal island. The province includes the Mamanuca Archipelago,Malolo Islands, off the west coast of Viti Levu, Vatulele (or Vahilele in the Nadroga dialect), as well as the remote Conway Reef in the southwest. The population at the 2017 census was 58,931, being the fifth largest province. [1] The main town in Nadroga-Navosa is Sigatoka, with a population of 9622 (2007 census). [2]
Nadroga/Navosa's principal town is Sigatoka, situated near the mouth of the Sigatoka River.
Nadroga is famous for its sunshine and white sandy beaches. Navosa remains wild, with the region significantly less developed than Nadroga. However, it is an area of rushing rivers, deep ravines and rugged mountains. The province of Nadroga-Navosa encompasses contrasting landscapes: the rugged and mountainous northern edges towards Viti Levu's interior, sand dunes and floodplains, to rolling hills of its hinterland, roamed by the province's symbol — the wild horse. Nadroga's coast is famous for its fine beaches and lagoons. The Mamanucas, a chain of reef-fringed islands off the western coast of Viti Levu are popular tourist and surfing destinations. Nadroga's coastal belt is an integral part of Fiji's Coral Coast — containing its leading hotels and resorts such as Shangri-La's Fijian Resort, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, [3] Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, [4] and others. Popular areas in Nadroga include Tavarua Island, Natadola Beach, Korotogo, Sigatoka, the Sand Dunes and the "Salad Bowl of Fiji" (Valley Road).
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes, a world heritage site and one of Fiji's principal archeological and historical locations, is in the province, about half a mile from Sigatoka Town. In July 1989, the dunes were designated as Fiji's first national park under the management of the National Trust of Fiji Islands. [5] This distinct feature covers an area of 650 hectares and offers a rich combination of geomorphological, ecological, cultural and aesthetical attributes. The national park is of great importance for educational and recreational use and is a milestone in Fiji's drive for environment. The Sigatoka valley is known as the salad bowl of Fiji. [6]
Other sites of great historical value are the 'Tavuni Hillfort' site (an ancient Tongan fortified settlement in the Sigatoka Valley) and the 'Momi Gunsite' (the site of two long-range cannons and played sentry to Momi Bay during World War II). Furthermore, Kula Eco Park which is a centre for conserving and housing native flora and fauna adds to the steps made by Nadroga and Fiji to safeguard the treasures of the islands.
Nadroga is of immense historical and archaeological importance. The Lapita people made their settlements in the province, the first in the country being at Bourewa, Nadroga. Nadroga was one of the larger states of Fiji in pre-colonial times.
The people of Nadroga/Navosa are amongst the friendliest in Fiji, which has contributed to a vibrant and substantial tourism industry in the province. The iTaukei of Nadroga/Navosa speak their own language/dialect and possess their own material culture. Culture has a strong hold in Nadroga, where the traditional art of pottery making is kept alive, brought by the Lapita, who made their first Fiji settlement in Nadroga. Masi or Tapa making flourishes on Vatulele; in other parts, traditional salt making persists.
Nadroga-Navosa Province comes under the administrative jurisdiction of the Fiji Ministry of iTaukei Affairs through the Provincial Council. The council is chaired by Na Kalevu Ratu Sakiusa Makutu, who is also the traditional paramount chief of the province. Ratu Sakiusa is one of Fiji's hereditary chiefs, who exert a lot of political clout over the native Fijian population and take active part in national affairs. The province normally has three representatives in the Fiji Parliament.
Nadroga-Navosa includes the districts of Cuvu, Nasigatoka, Tuva, Malomalo, Wai, Malolo, Naqalimare, Namataku, Noikoro, Conua, Raviravi, Nokonoko, Waicoba, Mavua, Bemana, Navatusila, Koroinasau, Komave, Korolevu I Wai, Nasikawa, Nadrau, and Vatulele. The population is dispersed between the coastal and hinterlands, although major economic activity is focused more toward the coast where tourism and sugar are important sources of income.
There was an attempt in 2015 to create a "Christian state" in Nadroga-Navosa. This was described by the then Chief of Police, Ben Groenewald, as a harmless cult, but the prime minister Frank Bainimarama took a sterner view and ordered a clamp-down by the army. [7]
Nadroga-Navosa has one of the largest provincial economies in Fiji. Nicknamed the Coral Coast, Nadroga contains a high concentration of hotels and resorts outside of Nadi. Recently, there has been major growth in international residential developments. Tourism accounts for a large number of employees and provincial development.
Nadroga is regarded and nicknamed the 'Salad Bowl of Fiji', specifically the Sigatoka Valley, which produces a high volume of the nation's fruits, spices and vegetables, for local consumption and export. Dalo (or taro), often the domain of Eastern Fiji, is not as widely produced in Nadroga. Cassava (tapioca) is produced for consumption and export. The province is one of Fiji's sugar-producing areas, but the number of farms and production have declined in the past 10 years as farmers seek to diversify their crops and move to more lucrative crop options. [8] Expiring native land leases have also contributed to a decline in sugar production. Cattle (beef) farming used to be a major economic activity led by the government-supported Yalavou Cattle Scheme, however, this has also declined in recent years.
Nadroga has produced some of modern Fiji's most recognized names in the fields of government, science, religion and sports. Some of the best known sons and daughters of Nadroga include:
Nadroga is a famous sporting hub of the Fiji Islands. It is the provincial home of Fiji's Para athlete, Iliesa Delana, who won Fiji's and the Pacific's first ever Paralympic gold medal.
Rugby is the obsession of Nadroga, with it being the most successful in both rugby competitions and producing rugby players for the national team. The Nadroga rugby team previously held the prestigious BSP Farebrother-Sullivan Cup from 2009 to September 29, 2012, after losing it to Suva. The re-took the Farebrother-Sullivan Cup in 2013 from holders Tailevu. They currently hold the Digicel Cup after winning it in 2013,2012, 2011, 2009, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. The Farebrother-Sullivan Cup is the Holy Grail of Fiji rugby: Whoever holds the trophy is considered Fiji rugby champions.
Fiji's second largest sporting arena — Lawaqa Park, second only in size to the National Stadium — is in the province's capital of Sigatoka.
Nadroga is famous for the annual Bilibili Race, [9] a festive sporting event involving employees of the province's hotels and resorts, located along the Coral Coast. Apart from the tug-of-war, sack race and other competitions, the highlight of the event is the famous "bilibili" (bamboo raft) race along the Sigatoka River.
The Nadroga rugby team is the most successful and greatest provincial rugby team in Fiji rugby history. As of July 22, 2017, they have retained Fiji rugby's premier trophy, the Farebrother-Sullivan Cup for a record 111 times since the inception of the Farebrother-Sullivan challenge. The team held the Farebrother-Sullivan Cup for a record 9 years in a row from 1971 to 1979. The team known as the "Stallions" have held the Fiji Rugby Union Cup (under various sponsorship names) a record 26 times. Nadroga has contributed the highest number of rugby players to the Fiji national rugby 15s and 7s teams than any other team in Fiji rugby history. The team's junior grade (U20 and U21) has equally been successful.
The province have produced rugby league internationals like Lote Tuqiri, Noa Nadruku and current NRL New Castle Knights star winger, Akuila Uate, and current Paramatta Eels superstar [Maika Sivo]. The province have produced Super rugby stars internationals like former Crusaders & Waratahs winger[Nemani Nadolo],former Wallabies & Brumbies winger[Tevita Kuridrani],New Zealand Allblacks rugby winger[Waisake Naholo], and is also home to the Current Waikato Chiefs Rugby & New Zealand Allblacks rugby player Pita Gus Sowakula.
Nadroga-Navosa province has produced Fiji boxing champions like Mitieli Navuilawa, Paula Kavika, Niko Degei, Mosese Kavika, Sakeasi Dakua, Luke Sisiwa, Iliavi Bose, Jone Mataitini, Ilatia Vaka, and Saiyad Hussein. In football, they have been national champions on three occasions. In athletics, Nadroga/Navosa has produced outstanding athletes like Napolioni Kurucibi, Mereoni Vibose, Temesia Kaumaiya and paralympic athlete Iliesa Delana — the 2011 IPC athletics world championship silver medalist and Paralympic champion in London 2012.
Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,100 nautical miles north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about 110 are permanently inhabited—and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 square kilometres (7,100 sq mi). The most outlying island group is Ono-i-Lau. About 87% of the total population of 924,610 live on the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. About three-quarters of Fijians live on Viti Levu's coasts, either in the capital city of Suva, or in smaller urban centres such as Nadi or Lautoka. The interior of Viti Levu is sparsely inhabited because of its terrain.
Articles about people, places, things, and concepts related to or originating from Fiji, include:
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.
The Western Division of Fiji is one of Fiji's four divisions. It consists of three provinces in western and northern Viti Levu, namely Ba Province, Nadroga-Navosa Province, and Ra Province. The largest city and capital is Lautoka.
The Colonial Cup is a defunct rugby union football competition that was played in Fiji between 2004 and 2008. The Colonial Cup was Fiji's first attempt at a professional rugby competition, but it did not draw sufficient crowds and ceased after five seasons.
Sigatoka is a town in Fiji. It is on the island of Viti Levu at the mouth of the Sigatoka River, for which it is named, some 61 kilometres from Nadi. Its population at the 2017 census was 17,622. It is the principal urban centre for the province of Nadroga-Navosa.
The Mamanuca Islands of Fiji are a volcanic archipelago lying to the west of Nadi and to the south of the Yasawa Islands. The group, a popular tourist destination, consists of about 20 islands, but about seven of these are covered by the Pacific Ocean at high tide.
Serua is one of Fiji's fourteen provinces. Its 830 square kilometers occupy the southernmost areas of Viti Levu, being one of 8 provinces based on Fiji's largest island. It had a population of 15,461 at the 2007 census.
The Sigatoka River is in the island of Viti Levu in Fiji and has its source on the west side of Mount Victoria and flows for 120 kilometers to the coast between the central and western ranges. It is the chief means of transportation with some parts of the interior of the island.
Rail transport in Fiji moves cut sugar cane to crushing mills. Also, there used to be two horse-drawn street tramway systems, some other passenger systems, an underground mine system, and some tramways on construction projects. There are multiple other modes of transport in Fiji.
Isoa Coalala Neivua is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a wing or centre.
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is located at the mouth of the Sigatoka River on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. They are located approximately 3 km west of the town of Sigatoka.
Apimeleki Nadoki Qiliho is an indigenous Fijian from the Province of Nadroga-Navosa in the Fiji Islands and a retired Anglican bishop.
Nadroga, is a prominent dialect of the West Fijian languages spoken in mostly in the western region of the Fiji Islands. It is often used as the generic standard of West Fijian. It takes its name from the ancient region and modern day province of Nadroga/Navosa, in Viti Levu, an area already unique for its own material culture, language and beautiful landscapes. Known as one of the prestige dialects of Fiji, Nadroga is popularly identified, and sometimes lampooned, by the change of Standard Fijian 's' to 'h' and the turbulent pitch and rapidness in which the language is spoken and can widely be identified by non-speakers within Fiji as a result of those characteristics. It is a dialect that is less understood by native Fijian speakers due to different sounds and spelling of common words.(Becker E. Anne, 1995) For example, the Fijian greeting word "bula" is "cola" in Nadroga/Navosa dialect.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Sina was the only named tropical cyclone to develop within the South Pacific basin during the 1990–91 season. The system was first noted as a shallow depression within the South Pacific Convergence Zone to the west of Wallis Island. Over the next three days the system moved towards the west-northwest, before it was named Sina during November 24, after it had developed into a tropical cyclone. Over the next couple of days the system intensified further and developed an eye feature as it erratically moved towards Fiji. Sina subsequently peaked in intensity during November 26, before the system passed through the Fijian Islands over the next two days as it started to gradually weaken. Sina subsequently passed just to the north of Tongatapu in Tonga during November 29, before it passed about 160 km (100 mi) to the south of Niue and near the Southern Cook Islands during the next day. The system subsequently rapidly weakened and became an extratropical cyclone during December 1, before they were absorbed by an advancing trough of low pressure near 50°S on December 4.
Coral Coast is the stretch of coastline between Sigatoka and Suva, on the island of Viti Levu, in Fiji.
RatuOsea Gavidi was a Fijian politician and indigenous chief. He was prominently involved in defending the interests of the indigenous people in the western part of Fiji, seeking to establish their political autonomy, then their independence.
Jasa Veremalua is a Fijian rugby union player who plays for the Tel Aviv Heat. He played for San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby (MLR). He also plays for the Fiji sevens team. Veremalua made his debut for Fiji 7s at the 2013 Wellington Sevens. He is from Korotogo Village in the Nadroga Navosa Province.
The Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy is a Fijian rugby union competition open to the regional representative teams of the districts of Fiji.
Merewai Turukawa (1938–2018) was a Fijian athlete who won the first-ever gold medal at the South Pacific Games. She competed in shot put, discus and javelin events.