A New Dawn for Lau: Pacific Leaders Gather for Historic Tui Nayau Installation

For the first time in 56 years, the title of Tui Nayau has passed to a new generation, with Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara installed as the paramount chief of Lau in a moment that has captured the hearts of the Pacific.

This monumental event has drawn Pacific governance to Fiji, with royal families, high chiefs, and leaders from across the region gathering in Lau to witness history and stand in support as the islands step into a new era.

On Nayau Island, families gathered at dawn in traditional attire, women letting down their hair as the village followed sacred protocols led by Kingmaker Akuila Qalo. It was a powerful return to customs passed down through generations, restoring the title once held by Ratu Tevita’s father, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji’s first Prime Minister, whose leadership left a lasting legacy. Echoing his father’s words from 1969, Ratu Tevita called on Lau’s chiefs to lead with righteousness and wisdom.

The ceremonies then moved to Lakeba Island, where Ratu Tevita was installed as Tui Lau in Tubou Village. The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga Wai Hono i te Pō, and Tonga’s King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu travelled to Fiji for the event, underscoring the deep ties and unity between Tonga, Aotearoa, and Fiji. Their presence reflected the Pacific’s commitment to standing together in culture, leadership, and collective strength.

Across Nayau and Lakeba, villages are alive with preparation—mats being woven, feasts prepared, and families working together to uphold traditions. For Lau and Pacific communities everywhere, this is more than the installation of a chief; it is a promise of hope and a return to leadership rooted in culture and service.

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Thumbnail Credit: FBC TV