Government weighs in on Miss Fiji representative issue

In an interesting twist to the Miss Fiji representative drama, Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo has urged organisers of the Miss Fiji Pageant to respect Cabinet’s decision that the winner of the national pageant represents Fiji at the Miss Pacific Island Pageant.

In a statement, Mr Vosarogo said Cabinet in October last year had agreed not only to provide funding support but had also clearly determined that the winner of the Miss Fiji Pageant (MFP) would represent the country at the Miss Pacific Island Pageant (MPIP).

He said the Miss Fiji Pageant had since been completed, resulting in the crowning of Miss Fiji Peggy Ravusiro, and that organisers were expected to comply with Cabinet’s decision.

Mr Vosarogo said the Government entered into a Service Agreement dated December 3, 2025, with the Miss Fiji Pageant and the Miss Pacific Island Pageant for funding totalling $198,000 towards the two events.

Cabinet approved the funding support in October 2025 following a submission by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

“In addition to funding support, Cabinet had agreed that the winner of MFP will represent Fiji in the MPIP,” Mr Vosarogo said.

“The MFP has been completed resulting in the crowning of Miss Fiji.”

He stressed that Cabinet decisions must be respected, particularly where public funds were involved.

“It needs to be understood that when Cabinet makes a decision on a matter, the expectation that such decision will be respected must follow,” Mr Vosarogo said.

“All processes, logistics, terms and arrangements, contractual or otherwise, must align to the decision. This is not just any decision. It is the decision of the apex body of decision-making of the Government.”

Mr Vosarogo said maintaining public confidence was critical, given that taxpayer funds were involved.

“As public funds are involved, it is critical that public confidence is maintained,” he said.

He said Fiji was now looking forward to hosting the Miss Pacific Island Pageant in 2026, seven years after the country last hosted the regional event and welcomed Pacific queens to its shores.