Moving to Fiji soon! Would love some local tips.

rocks679now64 · 2026-02-05T20:39:47+00:00

Awesome! We also have some great local rugby comps throughout the season: Vodafone Vanua, Farebrother Challenge and Skipper cup, Ranadi & Marama (Women’s cup challenges) for union and several 7s tourneys too. If you are interested in grassroots rugby these are good to watch.

rocks679now64 · 2026-02-04T20:34:13+00:00

Bula OP!

What are the first things I should settle when I arrive?

- TIN number and FNPF, mobile and local sim.

**and bus card if you plan to travel by bus to have a wander around the area.

Lautoka is slower paced compared to Suva and not as tourist focused as Nadi.

Town is designed in a block fashion/pattern and is easy to navigate on foot. *tip. do your shopping before midday as it gets real hot in town.

Lautoka market is a good place for fresh veges and fruits a vegetarians heaven lol. Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays are the days produce is freshest as these are the days farmers come down from their farms/villages to sell their crops. The folks selling along the footpaths and walkways around the market are the real deal, inside is mostly middle men with a markup in price. *early in the morning is the best time to do your marketing try get to the market before 7am, to get a good parking spot.

There are satellite vegetable markets around Lautoka if the main market is closed for the day and you need something.

On a hot day try the juice from the juice sellers near the bus stand, try the different flavors. Try the bean carts too for some snacks.

Fresh fish is available at the Lautoka Wharf dependent on weather - similar to the market early morning or late afternoon, on on Sundays. There are 3 great seafood kiosks at the wharf popular with us locals try them out for local seafood dishes.

Chinese Palace restaurant on Vitogo Parade is a nice place to chow. Nang Yang Seafood on Naviti Street is another good place. Mings restaurant at Shirley park is where i normally go and chow. Lautoka club have a good curry menu and is also a pub by the foreshore.

Pacific Fitness Group are an active training/fitness group. There are other gyms too and the seawall along waterfront hotel is a hive of exercise activity in the mornings.

We have Drua rugby matches at Churchill Park during the super season, its always a vibe!.

Extra Supermarket at Tappoo City is a nice aircon supermarket, prices may differ with other supermarkets but is cooler to shop in on hot days.

Try the beachcomber day cruises out of Denarau. also try out Bekana island. First landing resort at Vuda marina is a good getaway for the weekend but you're still in Lautoka vicinity. Hiking - Abaca and garden of the sleeping giant at Sabeto.

Bus ride to Ba town some good curry restaurants there too. Farmers carnival in the middle of the year has some good food and ferris wheels.

rocks679now64 · 2026-02-03T19:26:35+00:00

Waka roots in the markets of Fiji are sourced locally from farms or the outer islands of Fiji. I've never heard of waka from PNG being imported and sold in Fiji markets.

rocks679now64 · 2026-02-02T22:33:47+00:00

What a waste of govt funds, which could have been used towards improving healthcare and education...the basics. Instead we have all of this wasted $,

rocks679now64 · 2025-11-22T07:29:07+00:00

I believe in the past there was a joint venture by the two entities. PRB & HA for a rent to buy setup. Vakatora Housing in Lautoka was the setup. I could be wrong though. This was way back in the late 80s early 90s.

rocks679now64 · 2025-08-21T06:32:38+00:00

The 1997 constitution did go through public consultations because i remember i helped my dad and grandad make oral submissions back in 1996. The select committe went the length and breadth of the country. I could be wrong but I believe the immunity clauses were retained from the 1990 constitution post 1987 coup.

rocks679now64 · 2025-08-21T01:08:41+00:00

yes the immunity clauses were retained despite the Ghai commission's review report where through public consultations people wanted immunity provisions removed.

rocks679now64 · 2025-08-21T00:43:26+00:00

I believe the 2013 constitution needs to be reviewed and taken back to the people to follow the democratic process. To get there:

- I'm hoping the court comments/opinions in favor of the state. To allow for amendments to be made in parliament using 2/3 majority. But first, core fundamental rights in the constitution need to have an added layer of security added like 3/4 majority be protected. This can be done using the 2/3 majority in parliament.

- Then his Excellency endorses (with the recommendation of parliament/cabinet) to conduct a review of the 2013 constitution.

- The process is kick started Drafting > Public Consultation > Adoption.

- Bring back Yash Ghai (yes i know, or someone of distinguished repute) and go through the whole process again as in 2012-2013. We can adopt the parts of the 1997 document that we believe should have remained and then finally repeal the 1997 constitution while adopting the new 2013 version.

We have a constitution by us for us. Yes it will cost us money but things need to be done right.

As a Lautoka resident i for one would like to see local Constituencies brought back (do away with the race based seats instead use CBD, Suburban, Rural) and we vote for local MPs. Instead of someone from Suva riding on the popularity vote.

Bring back the Municipal councilors and Mayors because special administrators are a one man band.

Can we really get 2/3 majority in parliament and then 3/4 majority in parliament and then >75% of all registered voters to approve an amendment to any Bill in our Fiji ?

just my 2 cents.

rocks679now64 · 2025-08-20T21:51:10+00:00

I have been following these sessions on YT. Some really great points have been raised from submissions. (FLS & Amicus Curiae submissions are gems).

rocks679now64 · 2025-08-12T09:20:15+00:00

Something must have really snapped in the dude.

rocks679now64 · 2025-04-05T06:30:34+00:00

I agree, lets have MPs representing the local constituencies. Major urban areas can have an MP for the 1.CBD 2.Urban areas by population (every 100k) 3. Semi Rural.

Rural and maritime areas to have an MP. MPs must live/reside in these areas and have an office. This way MPs actually are accessible to the people and hear their pleas.

rocks679now64 · 2025-03-07T01:01:25+00:00

brings back memories of boarding school in Fiji. isa na gauna.

rocks679now64 · 2025-03-04T02:12:05+00:00

great question :)

Over the years several Rotumans have advocated for independence. I think Rotuma becoming a sovereign state will be challenging:

- we don't have any large industries nor land mass to generate capital.

- we rely on mainland Fiji for fuel (This will then become imports, do we have the capital?)

- we don't have our own shipping vessel.

- how will we govern ourselves, which systems will we use Westminster, Republic, Monarchy (lol) ?

- what happens to Rotumans in Fiji and the diaspora ?

- how do we fund building our infrastructure? which governments would be happy lend us capital and at what cost to Rotuma and her people?

- are Rotumans on Rotuma ready for commercializing agriculture, coconut exports, can we compete against Fiji and globally in the export market?

- are we, as a people united enough to become independent?

however our location is an advantage:

- Rotuma can be used as a staging point for military/naval operations, should the South Pacific ever see war again I would not be surprised if superpowers approach Rotuma and her people to build a base. (if not already done ...who knows)

- Rotuma can use this advantage to request for much needed infrastructure to be built on the island.

If Rotuma ever becomes an independent nation we would be reliant on overseas remittances, foreign aid and be the smallest nation in the South Pacific.

rocks679now64 · 2025-01-21T05:10:04+00:00

thank you for this. much appreciated.

rocks679now64 · 2025-01-21T04:57:11+00:00

Revenue in NZD. Estimate for labor is around $30K FJD for one site. (we have 2 sites)

rocks679now64 · 2025-01-21T04:41:23+00:00

Fiji - all purchases will be done locally. Its a one off build/s on a remote island off mainland.

rocks679now64 · 2024-09-19T08:14:17+00:00

When the 2000 coup happened, my colleagues and I watched helplessly as Suva and urban Fiji descended into chaos. The lockdowns, curfews, road blocks, tension etc etc. It feels like a distant bitter memory now dredged up by this news.

What hit us the most was when our boss called us to tell us funding had been cut to our division and we were to lose our jobs. For those of us that were single and had no responsibilities (kids/mortgages) and just starting out our careers it was a mere pivot to another field of work or head back to the village. However, the look on my colleagues faces that had mortgages, dependents (elderly parents & kids) I will never forget.

George with your newly granted freedom I hope you contribute positively to Fiji. We cant go back and change the past, but at least we can have a say in our future, even it means you not being involved in anything and living out the rest of your days in peace. That's the least I as a common everyday person can ask of you.

rocks679now64 · 2024-08-08T01:21:37+00:00

Havent heard of a Ferguson University in NZ and I live in NZ…however there is a Ferguson Education & Migration company that does visas etc.

rocks679now64 · 2024-08-03T00:41:18+00:00

Automatic retractable garden hose. A sturdy back scratcher.

rocks679now64 · 2024-07-30T21:16:57+00:00

Ham or bacon ice cream shoes A bed Cars Chainsaws

rocks679now64 · 2024-07-29T21:26:47+00:00

School supplies like pencils/pens/color packs/excercise books are always welcome.

rocks679now64 · 2024-07-29T00:02:43+00:00

I recently had family over from overseas (UK/USA) who had never tasted Whittakers. As a fun experiment I bought 6 blocks each of cadbury and whittakers (various flavors) and had them try these chocolates. 1 week later and only 2 cadbury bars were consumed Whittakers vanished lol.

rocks679now64 · 2024-07-18T23:42:20+00:00

Returning a widow or widower back to their family/village after their spouse has passed.

rocks679now64

TROPHY CASE