‘Fijian’ should remain a shared identity: Kotobalavu

Former senior civil servant and academic Jioji Kotobalavu has pushed back against proposals to reserve the term 'Fijian” exclusively for the iTaukei.

He warned that redefining the word risks dividing the nation.

Mr Kotobalavu said Fiji must clearly separate ethnic identity from national identity, arguing that 'Fijian' should remain a shared term that unites all citizens.

While “iTaukei” accurately reflects indigenous history, land ownership and cultural rights, he said 'Fijian' represents citizenship and equality.

Mr Kotobalavu noted that indigenous people already hold unique recognition as the first settlers of Fiji and as customary owners of about 92 per cent of the country’s land — rights that are protected under law and the Constitution.

However, he stressed that citizenship is different from ethnicity.

“What binds us together is our equal status as citizens,” he said, adding that the term 'Fijian' reflects that unity in government, in international forums and when national teams represent the country overseas.

He also reminded leaders of past calls for unity, including appeals by figures such as Jai Ram Reddy and Mahendra Chaudhry, who urged traditional leadership to look after all communities in Fiji.

The debate comes at a sensitive time as Fiji reviews its Constitution and grapples with broader questions of identity, inclusion and equality.

Under the 2013 Constitution, all citizens — regardless of ethnicity — are recognised as 'Fijians', a national identity based on equal citizenship. At the same time, the Constitution clearly recognises the iTaukei and Rotumans as Fiji’s indigenous communities.