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16-686: At the 1996 census, the Rakiraki district had a population of 29,137, with 15,325 in the smaller Rakiraki sub-district. Of these, 3361 lived in Vaileka , Rakiraki's principal urban centre. The Fiji Times reported on 4 October 2006 that Uraia Waqa , Chairman of the Rakiraki Local Government Authority , had called for Vaileka to be officially incorporated as a Town in order to attract government investment. Local Government and Urban Development Minister Chaitanya Lakshman

32-759: A Town , to be known as Rakiraki Town, in order to attract government investment. Local Government and Urban Development Minister Chaitanya Lakshman was reported to be sympathetic to the proposal. The Penang Sugar Mill is being operated by the Fiji Sugar Corporation on the banks of the Penang River , about one kilometer outside of the township. Vaileka is twinned with Irish town Kenmare since 2015. 17°22′S 178°9′E  /  17.367°S 178.150°E  / -17.367; 178.150 Local government in Fiji Fiji

48-599: A military coup on 5 December 2006 formally abolished the Great Council of Chiefs in 2012, and the 2013 Constitution promulgated by the regime similarly abolished the Senate. This effectively ended provincial input into national government affairs. The island of Rotuma , north of the main archipelago, is a self-governing dependency according to the Rotuma Act promulgated in 1927. The Fiji government includes it in

64-703: A voice to people of all races outside the provincial structure. The Ministry of Regional Development ensures that Fiji's rural areas are provided with the access to opportunities and basic amenities that are enjoyed by the urban areas. This is done through its district administrations which are involved in community capacity building, coordinating the development projects like upgrading of rural roads, upgrading of cane access roads, development of roads for access to cash crops and other capital programs in their respective districts. They also attend to some statutory functions such as registration of births, deaths and marriages, liquor licences and acting as Third Class Magistrates. Fiji

80-593: Is an urban centre in Fiji , in the Rakiraki region of Ra Province . It had a population of 3,361 at the 1996 census , the last to date. It is not officially a "town," however: that term is legally reserved for urban centres with organized municipal governments. The status of the area may be changed. The Fiji Times reported on 4 October 2006 that Uraia Waqa , Chairman of the Rakiraki Local Government Authority , had called for Vaileka to be officially incorporated as

96-411: Is based on the koro, or village, headed by a Turaga ni Koro elected or appointed by the villagers. Several koros combine to form a Tikina, two or more of which comprise a province. In addition, municipal governments have been established for the cities of Suva and Lautoka , and for ten towns . Each has a city or town council elected for a three-year term , presided over by a Mayor chosen by

112-724: Is close to the township of Vaileka. The renowned Nakauvadra Range which is associated with Fijian mythology is visible from anywhere in the Rakiraki district. It is also the main contributing factor to the dry conditions that prevail throughout much of the year in the Rakiraki region. Many noted Fijian politicians have originated from this area, such as Sidiq Koya , who fought for Fijian workers' rights. Others include Tomasi Vuetilovoni , Meli Bolobolo , Joji Banuve , Subas Chand , Devi Prasad , lawyer Dhiren Prasad and George Shiu Raj . 17°22′S 178°9′E  /  17.367°S 178.150°E  / -17.367; 178.150 Vaileka Vaileka , commonly known as Rakiraki Town,

128-420: Is divided administratively into four divisions , which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces . Each province has a provincial council. Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces ; the self-governing island of Rotuma and its nearby islets lie outside any of the four divisions. Each division is headed by a Commissioner, appointed by

144-466: The Penang River , one kilometer north-east of Vaileka. Sugar cane is grown in the valleys, while cattle are raised in the highlands. Root crops, including yaqona (kava) are also cultivated. Fiji Water is bottled 20 kilometres west of the main town of Rakiraki. Prominent landmarks include Navatu Rock , in Vitawa village, believed to be one of Fiji's oldest human settlements. Pottery excavated at

160-528: The President and Vice-President ; 42 of the 55 members of the Great Council were chosen by the provincial councils, three from each province. In addition, 14 of the 32 members of the Senate, the upper house of the Fijian Parliament , were chosen by the provincial councils (one Senator each) and confirmed by the Great Council of Chiefs. The Military -backed interim government that seized power in

176-498: The Eastern Division for statistical purposes (such as the census ), but it has its own council , which is empowered to legislate on most local matters. Like a province, Rotuma used to choose (through its council) 3 members of the Great Council of Chiefs and 1 Senator. Below the provincial level, districts and villages, based on extended family networks, have their own chiefs and councils. Indigenous Fijian administration

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192-473: The Fijian government. The divisions are basically agglomerations of provinces and have few administrative functions of their own, but serve to foster cooperation among the member provinces for providing services. Each province has a provincial council which may make bylaws and impose rates (local taxes), subject to the approval of the iTaukei Affairs Board a government department. The board must also approve

208-621: The appointment of the Roko Tui , or executive head of the provincial council, who is usually a high chief , although in recent years, commoners have sometimes been chosen. The provinces used to have direct input into national affairs through the Great Council of Chiefs and the Senate . The Great Council of Chiefs was a traditional body which advised the government on indigenous affairs and also functioned as an electoral college to elect

224-417: The base of the rock has been dated to around 1000BC. About 1.5 kilometers offshore lies the island of Nananu-i-Ra . Fijian mythology holds that this island is the disembodied spirits' point of departure from this world to the afterlife. A village once crowned the peak of this island. The tomb of Ratu Udre Udre , a famous 19th century cannibal chief who reportedly consumed more than 800 of his victims,

240-417: The councillors from among their own members. On 15 February 2006, the government announced legislation to change the local government term of office from three years to four. Provincial administration, and its subdivisions, cater for ethnic Fijians, town and city councils cater for urban residents of all races. Local authorities have also been established for rural areas, with advisory powers, and these provide

256-467: Was reported to be sympathetic to the proposal. The main township is Rakiraki town locally known as Vaileka. Traditional Fijian villages in the Rakiraki district are Namuaimada, Navolau Number 1, Navolau Number 2, Navutulevu, Navuavua, Malake & Nakorokula. Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the Rakiraki economy. The Fiji Sugar Corporation operates the Penang Sugar Mill on

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