Tailevu Province

Province of Fiji

Tailevu is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji. Its capital town is Nausori which lies along the banks of the Rewa River.

Overview

One of the eight provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, Tailevu's 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island along with some central areas. At the 2017 census, it had a population of 64,552, the fifth largest among the provinces.^[1] The main urban area of Tailevu is Nausori with a population of 21,645 in 1996. Tailevu includes the districts of Bau, Nakelo, Verata, Vugalei, Wainibuka, Dawasamu and Sawakasa. Bau District includes Bau Island, the seat of the Kubuna Confederacy, one of three traditional chiefly hierarchies in Fiji. Kubuna's Paramount Chief, called the Vunivalu of Bau, is generally considered the most senior such chief in Fiji. The Indigenous Fijians' land, water ways, foreshore, seabed, and fishing grounds is held in perpetuity among other special privileges to which they are entitled.^{[citation needed]}

Also located in the province is the Nausori International Airport, a major transportation hub for domestic and regional travel.

The North of Tailevu is the backbone of the Dairy industry in Fiji which helped to establish Rewa Dairy.

Notable people

Frank Bainimarama, prime minister of Fiji from 2007 until 2022
Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, warlord who forged the first nation-state out of the Fiji islands
Ratu George Cakobau, governor-general of Fiji from 1973 to 1983 and great-grandson of Seru Epenisa Cakobau
Ratu George Cakobau Jr., politician and son of George Cakobau
Ratu Jope Seniloli, vice-president of Fiji until 2004
George Speight, politician who headed the 2000 coup d'état that overthrew Fiji's elected government