AGP Executive Report

Constitutional Debate: NFP leader Biman Prasad says the party supports reform but will reject the current Bill unless Fijians get more time to consider it. Lau chiefs back a referendum and stronger land protections, while One Nation questions the proposed Senate and Great Council of Chiefs. Youth and Wellbeing: Youth Minister Jese Saukuru urged Bua’s young people to help prevent drug harm and make informed choices as HIV cases rise. A new Salvation Army day programme in Suva is also offering structured support for adults seeking help with alcohol and drug use. Children’s Rights: The Fiji Teachers Union wants the Constitution to ban corporal punishment and protect children from physical and psychological violence. Health: Pacific Specialist Healthcare’s chief executive is urging healthier eating, exercise and regular check-ups to help prevent stroke. Opportunity in the North: FNU will bring its Level 3 hairdressing course to Labasa in 2027, giving students a local path to a recognised qualification. Culture and Community: Labasa’s free Diwali Dhoom brings music, dance and family activities to Damodar City, while Suva’s National Women’s Expo is set for November 17–19.

Skills & Opportunity: Fiji National University will bring its Level 3 hairdressing course to Labasa in 2027, giving Northern students a recognised qualification without travelling to Viti Levu. Tourism: Visitor arrivals rose 3.7% in the first nine months of the year, with stronger hotel occupancy and turnover pointing to resilient demand. Social Cohesion: A faith leader is urging schools to teach cultural understanding from kindergarten, including opportunities for iTaukei and Indo-Fijian students to learn each other’s languages. Women’s Enterprise: Around 400 artisans are expected at Suva’s National Women’s Expo, November 17–19, to showcase their work and connect with buyers. Identity & Heritage: Lau chiefs want “Fijian” restored as the ethnic identity of Indigenous people and “Fiji Islander” used as the common nationality for all citizens. Community Celebration: Labasa’s free Diwali Dhoom brought families together for music, dance, rangoli competitions and other cultural activities.

Education & Cohesion: Fiji schools are being urged to teach cultural understanding from kindergarten, including language-sharing activities to help children value the country’s diversity. Women’s Enterprise: About 400 artisans are expected at the National Women’s Expo in Suva, November 17–19, with a focus on business opportunities and equality. Identity & Land: Lau chiefs want “Fijian” restored as the indigenous people’s ethnic identity and “Fiji Islander” used for all citizens, while backing constitutional safeguards for iTaukei land. Diwali: Rewa Diwali Dhoom brings free music, dance and family activities to Labasa today. Community Health: A new Salvation Army day programme in Suva offers adults structured support for alcohol and drug recovery. Climate & Heritage: Serua Island residents facing rising seas say they would rather strengthen coastal defences than leave their ancestral home.

Women’s Enterprise: About 400 artisans are expected at Suva’s National Women’s Expo, November 17–19, where women can showcase their work and connect with buyers. Diwali in Labasa: Rewa Diwali Dhoom returns with free family activities, music, dance and rangoli competitions celebrating Fiji’s multicultural traditions. Indigenous Identity: Lau chiefs support a referendum on constitutional changes and propose restoring “Fijian” as the indigenous identity, with “Fiji Islander” as a shared nationality. They also want stronger safeguards for iTaukei and Rotuman land. Recovery Support: The Salvation Army has begun an eight-week, non-residential alcohol and drug recovery programme in Suva for adults seeking help. Climate and Heritage: Residents of Serua Island say they want to strengthen coastal defences rather than leave their ancestral home, despite rising seas and cyclone risks.

Constitution & Identity: Vanua ko Lau supports putting Fiji’s proposed Constitution changes to a referendum, while seeking to restore “Fijian” as the name for Indigenous people and use “Fiji Islander” for all citizens. Climate & Community: Serua Island residents say they would rather strengthen coastal defences than leave their ancestral home, despite rising seas already threatening homes and crops. Diwali in Labasa: Free family celebrations return to Damodar City, with dance, music, prayer and creative activities for children. Health Awareness: Eight walkers covered 11 kilometres from Tabia to Labasa to promote cancer awareness and screening, including Pap smears. Social Cohesion: Faith leaders and chiefs are being urged to help build trust and dialogue as Fiji develops a national framework. Women’s Leadership: Nineteen Pacific women, including Fijians, have joined a programme supporting former elite athletes into leadership roles in sport. Pacific Science: Two Fijian women are taking part in a research voyage studying climate change and marine ecosystems in the Pacific.

Community Wellbeing: Ba Provincial Council plans local task forces to address drug use among young people and prepare communities for possible Super El Niño impacts on crops and water supplies. Pacific Science: Fijian researchers Harshna Charan and Sulueti Savou have joined a Pacific research voyage, helping study ocean ecosystems and climate change while bringing local knowledge into the work. Education: Government says $235 million in scholarship funding is linked to more than 33,000 students who did not complete their studies; a new TSLS plan includes postgraduate support for working Fijians. Second Chances: At 40, single mother Sanjeshini Mala Lal is balancing work, family and evening classes as she returns to education to build a more secure future for her children. Constitution Debate: Ro Teimumu Kepa has warned that retaining immunity in the proposed constitutional changes could leave the way open for future coups, as public debate over the Bill continues.

Education & Opportunity: TSLS is expanding local postgraduate diploma scholarships for working Fijians, while pausing pilot-training and overseas intakes. Applications are open for the 2027 $200 back-to-school support, with eligible families earning up to $50,000 required to apply through schools by November 27. Pacific Justice: Fiji is hosting a regional dialogue on the lasting health, cultural and environmental harm of nuclear testing, with survivors and advocates calling for justice and support. On Screen: Love Island Australia’s eighth season is set in Fiji, bringing the island setting to a global audience. Island Access: Upgraded roads on Matuku will connect seven villages and improve access to schools, services and markets for more than 500 families. Fijian Diaspora: A new feature follows Sacramento-based caregiver Raijieli Robanakadavu, whose work supports her young son and relatives in Fiji.

Island Access: Upgraded roads on Matuku will connect seven villages and make it easier for more than 500 families to reach schools, health services and markets. Culture and Care: A Fijian public health specialist says care for sick children should recognise how families navigate traditional beliefs, church and Western medicine—and help them find timely treatment. Constitution Debate: Human rights commissioner Alefia Vuki says 11 days is not enough for people to understand proposed changes; civil society groups are calling for the vote to be deferred and consultation extended. Climate: Pacific forecasters warn a strong El Niño could bring unusual rainfall and heat into 2027, while a UN report says warming is weakening the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon. Fijian Culture: A Malaysian film night in Lami used football and cinema to bring communities together and build cultural ties. Youth Leadership: Lautoka’s Sugar Festival queen contestant Hannah Simran Kumar is championing youth empowerment, mental health awareness and civic pride.

Constitution and Community: Human rights commissioner Alefia Vuki says Fijians need more than 11 days to understand proposed constitutional changes, while civil society groups are seeking a six-month consultation period. At a Taveuni meeting, a community leader urged people to reject racial hate and protect unity. Remembering 2000: At a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing, Minister Sashi Kiran recalled the fear, violence and displacement that followed the coup, and the urgent support women and children needed. Climate Watch: Pacific forecasters warn a strong to very strong El Niño could bring drier conditions, hotter temperatures and greater cyclone risks into 2027. Youth and Culture: Lautoka’s Sugar Festival queen hopeful Hannah Simran Kumar plans to champion youth mental health, education and community involvement; a Malaysian Film Night in Lami used football and cinema to bring Fiji and Malaysian communities together. Health and Mobility: A free Jaipur Foot camp in Labasa is helping amputees regain mobility, including two students who received prosthetic limbs.

Travel: Fiji Airways has earned AirlineRatings’ Seven Star PLUS cabin-safety rating after audits across six flights. Culture: A Malaysian Film Night in Lami used the football film Ola Bola to bring communities together and deepen Fiji-Malaysia ties. Constitution Debate: Public submissions in Savusavu urged equal rights and inclusion, questioned making Fiji a Christian state, and called for reliable water, sanitation and electricity. Health: A free Jaipur Foot camp in Labasa is helping amputees regain mobility, while doctors warn people with diabetes to seek care early. Climate: Residents of flood-threatened Serua Island say they want to strengthen defences rather than leave their ancestral home. Women’s Safety: Pacific advocates meeting in Nadi called for stronger regional solidarity and support for women facing violence, especially in remote communities. Food: Three chefs won gold in HOTEC’s Mystery Box Challenge, celebrating Fiji’s culinary talent.

Health and Mobility: A Jaipur Foot camp in Labasa is providing free prosthetic limbs to amputees, including students, while health officials warn that late treatment of diabetes can lead to preventable amputations. Constitution and Inclusion: As Fiji’s constitutional review continues, the University of Fiji has urged the Government to listen to public views and promote ethnic inclusion. A Savusavu submitter said Indo-Fijians were being made to feel like second-class citizens and raised fears about their place in the country. Schools and Water: Water shortages in parts of the West are keeping some children home; the Education Ministry is arranging truck deliveries to affected schools to support hygiene and learning. Climate and Community: Residents of Serua Island want to strengthen their defences against rising seas rather than leave their ancestral home, despite waves already reaching homes and crops. Women’s Safety: Pacific advocates say regional solidarity, support and shelter are vital to ending violence against women and girls, especially in remote communities.

Constitution Debate: Unity Fiji says proposed changes would amount to a new constitution and wants more time for public education. Fijians can question six political leaders at a public forum in Nasinu on Thursday, while women’s rights advocates say women must have an active role in shaping the country’s future. Consultations have also raised calls for tighter oversight of religious organisations. Schools: Year 13 exams begin today for 8,562 students at 174 centres. The Education Ministry is arranging emergency water deliveries to schools affected by shortages in the West. Fiji’s Food Scene: Local chefs won gold at HOTEC 2026, while Fijian representatives also earned major honours at the Global Chefs Challenge Pacific semi-finals. Culture: Fiji-linked author Sheryl Prakash says her debut children’s book, inspired by her late Nani, celebrates Indo-Fijian heritage and the role grandparents play in passing down family stories.

Constitution Debate: The Fijian Media Association will host a public forum on the Constitution Amendment Bill this Thursday at 7pm at FNU Nasinu, with six party leaders on the panel. Human rights commissioner Chantelle Khan says women must have a real voice in constitutional discussions and decision-making. Education: More than 8,500 Year 13 students begin exams tomorrow at 174 centres nationwide; Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says results do not define their futures. Fiji on the Culinary Stage: Fijian chefs earned top honours at the Global Chefs Challenge Pacific Rim semi-finals, including wins for Kelepi Lalawailevu and young chef Frances Wakeham. Culture and Heritage: Fiji-linked author Sheryl Prakash’s debut children’s book, inspired by her late Nani, traces her family’s journey from India to Fiji and New Zealand and celebrates grandparents’ role in passing on culture. Digital Skills: A new USP hub will train students and community members in AI, networking and cybersecurity, with learning links to Samoa and Vanuatu.

Education: More than 8,500 Year 13 students begin national exams, with Education Minister Aseri Radrodro urging them to stay confident and remember results do not define their future. Cultural Heritage: Fiji-linked author Sheryl Prakash’s debut children’s book honours her late Nani and traces her family’s journey from India to Fiji and New Zealand, celebrating grandparents’ role in passing on Indo-Fijian traditions. Pacific Film: The Pacific Human Rights Film Festival drew more than 2,500 people across the region, with Fiji screenings featuring women-led films and stories of motherhood and younger generations. Girls’ Safety: At a Kadavu outreach, officials called for safe spaces, quality education and equal opportunities for girls amid concerns over sexual violence and teenage pregnancies. Food and Culture: Vanshika Naidu was named Fiji Vegan Chef of the Year and will represent the country in Shanghai in 2027, after a showcase celebrating local ingredients and culinary creativity. Diwali: At a Suva celebration, Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said the festival’s message of unity means respecting Fiji’s diverse communities.

Constitution Debate: Public submissions in Labasa have called for equal rights for all races and for religion and State to remain separate, as critics question the proposed amendments’ impact on Fiji’s multiracial society. Food & Culture: Outrigger Fiji chef Vanshika Naidu has won Fiji Vegan Chef of the Year 2026 and will represent the country in Shanghai next year; the national showcase celebrated local ingredients including breadfruit, coconut, mango and bush lemon. Heritage & Land: Fiji Museum is urging a halt to the proposed Sigatoka iron-sands mining project, warning that it could damage archaeological sites near the sand dunes before their cultural significance is fully assessed. Women’s Leadership: Macuata community leader Ranadiniceva Raluna is pursuing a place in Parliament after years of service as a village women’s leader, challenging beliefs about women’s roles.

Faith and Identity: Mahendra Chaudhry says Fiji should keep religion and the State separate, warning that favouring one faith could deepen divisions in the country’s multiracial society. Inclusive Fiji: The University of Fiji urges Government to rebuild public trust and protect people’s ability to maintain their languages and cultures. Cultural Heritage: Fiji Museum wants the Sigatoka iron-sands mining project halted while it assesses risks to archaeological and fossil resources near the Sand Dunes. Women’s Leadership: Macuata community leader Ranadiniceva Raluna is pursuing a path to Parliament after years of service, challenging beliefs about women’s roles. Drua Culture: New coach Brad Mooar says understanding players’ faith, family and team culture will come before introducing his own approach.