Finau Mara
Encyclopedia
Ratu
Alifereti Finau Mara (born 1960) is a Fiji
an lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He is best known as the eldest son of former Prime Minister and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
. Since December 2001, he has held the official position of Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner
, representing Fiji's interests in Pacific Island
nations. It was reported on 13 March 2006 that he had been chosen to succeed his late father as Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, but in 2009 the succession was still unclear, with Finau Mara reportedly refusing to discuss the issue with the village elders.
with an LLB (Law) degree in 1983. This was followed by an LLM (Masters degree in Law) from Cambridge University
in the United Kingdom in 1986. Meanwhile, he had served as a Legal Officer in the Attorney General's Chamber from 1984, rising to Principal Legal Officer in 1986. In 1987, he was appointed Fiji's Chief Administrative Officer for Foreign Affairs
, and in 1991 he became Chargé d'affaires
at the Fijian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
.
Upon returning to Fiji, Mara was elected to the House of Representatives
in 1994 and served for a single term. During this time, he held Cabinet
office as Minister for Fijian Affairs
from 1997 to 1999, during which time he also served as Chairman of the Native Land Trust Board. He also led the Fijian Association Party
from 1996 to 1998. In 1999 he was appointed to a diplomatic post, but returned to Fiji in the wake of the coup d'état
that deposed his father from the Presidency in 2000. The following year, however, he took up his present post as Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner.
On 13 August 2005, Foreign Minister Kaliopate Tavola
said that Mara was being considered as a possible successor to Ratu Tevita Momoedonu
as Ambassador to Japan. Momoedonu's term was due to expire in September, and he had indicated that he wished to return to Fiji. In the end, Mara was not appointed, however.
In 2006 Mara was appointed ambassador to the United States but did not take up the position. He was again appointed to the position in 2008. His departure from Fiji to take up the post was reportedly delayed by "internal processes" in the Ministry of Affairs. The offer was eventually withdrawn with the government citing Mara's inability to meet a deadline due to protracted personal affairs. The Fijian ambassador to the United States as of December 2010 was Winston Thompson.
had visited him in Suva
to invite him to succeed his late father as Tui Nayau
, or Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands
. Although not strictly hereditary, the title is traditionally held by a male in the chiefly Vuanirewa Clan, a tradition his father reportedly wanted upheld. One village elder, who chose not to be named, said that Mara had both the blood ties and the modern education expected of a Paramount Chief. "He is a high chief, whose parents are both paramount chiefs and have strong blood ties with all the chiefly households in Fiji and Tonga
, is young and can look after his people," the elder said.
Others expressed disappointment, however, that the elders had gone public before Ratu Finau had made a final decision on accepting the invitation, saying that the publicity was an insult to him and the other children of the late Ratu Mara.It was no one who went to the media about this information i don't know where this is coming from but the elders from Nayau have approched Ratu Finau and he said he will let them know of his decision,full stop.
As of July 2005, there was still no public announcement as to whether Mara has accepted the invitation to become the Tui Nayau, but his elder sister, Adi Ateca Ganilau
, said that discussions between the family and the mataqali (clan) were ongoing. She said there was no time limit; her father had been installed only after three years of discussions.
On 13 March 2006, the Fiji Village
news service quoted Lau Provincial Council
Chairman Ratu Josefa Basulu as saying that Mara had accepted an invitation from the chiefly Vuanirewa
clan to succeed his late father as Tui Nayau, or Paramount Chief of Lau. A date for installation had yet to be finalized, he said.
and his sister, Adi Ateca Ganilau
, were similarly absent from the Vakataraisulu ceremony, to mark the end of the year of mourning, held in Tubou Village, Lakeba. Local people expressed sadness that Ratu Finau and his siblings, who cited prior commitments, were unable to attend the Vakataraisulu.
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Alifereti Finau Mara (born 1960) is a Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He is best known as the eldest son of former Prime Minister and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
Kamisese Mara
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, CF, GCMG, KBE is considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992...
. Since December 2001, he has held the official position of Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
, representing Fiji's interests in Pacific Island
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
nations. It was reported on 13 March 2006 that he had been chosen to succeed his late father as Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands, but in 2009 the succession was still unclear, with Finau Mara reportedly refusing to discuss the issue with the village elders.
Education and career
Mara graduated from New Zealand's University of OtagoUniversity of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
with an LLB (Law) degree in 1983. This was followed by an LLM (Masters degree in Law) from Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in the United Kingdom in 1986. Meanwhile, he had served as a Legal Officer in the Attorney General's Chamber from 1984, rising to Principal Legal Officer in 1986. In 1987, he was appointed Fiji's Chief Administrative Officer for Foreign Affairs
Foreign relations of Fiji
Fiji has experienced many coups recently, in 1987, 2000, and 2006. Fiji has been suspended various times from the Commonwealth of Nations, a grouping of mostly former British colonies. It was readmitted to the Commonwealth in December 2001, following the parliamentary election held to restore...
, and in 1991 he became Chargé d'affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
at the Fijian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Upon returning to Fiji, Mara was elected to the House of Representatives
House of Representatives (Fiji)
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Fiji's Parliament. It is the more powerful of the two chambers; it alone has the power to initiate legislation...
in 1994 and served for a single term. During this time, he held Cabinet
Cabinet (Fiji)
Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed, but not chosen, by the President: the President must appoint as Prime...
office as Minister for Fijian Affairs
Minister for Fijian Affairs
The Minister for Fijian Affairs is the Cabinet Minister responsible for the preservation of Fijian culture and for the economic and social development of indigenous Fijians. Prior to 1999, the Minister for Fijian Affairs also presided over the Great Council of Chiefs, but since then the Great...
from 1997 to 1999, during which time he also served as Chairman of the Native Land Trust Board. He also led the Fijian Association Party
Fijian Association Party
The Fijian Association Party is a former political party in Fiji. It played a significant role in Fijian politics throughout the 1990s, but lost all of its seats in the House of Representatives in the parliamentary election of 2001....
from 1996 to 1998. In 1999 he was appointed to a diplomatic post, but returned to Fiji in the wake of the coup d'état
Fiji coup of 2000
The Fiji coup of 2000 was a complicated affair involving a civilian putsch by hardline Fijian nationalists against the elected government of a non-native Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, on 19 May 2000, the attempt by President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to assert executive authority on 27 May, and...
that deposed his father from the Presidency in 2000. The following year, however, he took up his present post as Roving Ambassador and High Commissioner.
On 13 August 2005, Foreign Minister Kaliopate Tavola
Kaliopate Tavola
Kaliopate Tavola is a Fijian economist, diplomat, and politician, who was his country's Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2006...
said that Mara was being considered as a possible successor to Ratu Tevita Momoedonu
Tevita Momoedonu
Ratu Tatu Tevita Momoedonu is a Fijian chief and has served as the fifth Prime Minister of Fiji twice - each time extremely briefly. Both appointments were to get around constitutional technicalities; his first term of office - on 27 May 2000 lasted only a few minutes. His second term - from 14...
as Ambassador to Japan. Momoedonu's term was due to expire in September, and he had indicated that he wished to return to Fiji. In the end, Mara was not appointed, however.
In 2006 Mara was appointed ambassador to the United States but did not take up the position. He was again appointed to the position in 2008. His departure from Fiji to take up the post was reportedly delayed by "internal processes" in the Ministry of Affairs. The offer was eventually withdrawn with the government citing Mara's inability to meet a deadline due to protracted personal affairs. The Fijian ambassador to the United States as of December 2010 was Winston Thompson.
Tui Nayau candidate
On 18 March 2005, it was announced that five elders from his home island of LakebaLakeba
Lakeba is an island in Fiji's Southern Lau Archipelago; the provincial capital of Lau is located here. The island is the tenth largest in Fiji, with a land area of nearly 60 square kilometers. It is fertile and well watered, and encircled by a 29-kilometer road. Its closest neighbors are Aiwa...
had visited him in Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
to invite him to succeed his late father as Tui Nayau
Tui Nayau
Tui Nayau is the title held by the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands in Fiji and is synonymous with the title holders over lordship of these islands. When translated Tui Nayau means Lord of Nayau, an island north of Lakeba, the latter accepted by many to be the chiefly island in the Lauan...
, or Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands
Lau Islands
The Lau Islands of Fiji are situated in the southern Pacific Ocean, just east of the Koro Sea. Of this chain of about one hundred islands and islets, about thirty are inhabited...
. Although not strictly hereditary, the title is traditionally held by a male in the chiefly Vuanirewa Clan, a tradition his father reportedly wanted upheld. One village elder, who chose not to be named, said that Mara had both the blood ties and the modern education expected of a Paramount Chief. "He is a high chief, whose parents are both paramount chiefs and have strong blood ties with all the chiefly households in Fiji and Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, is young and can look after his people," the elder said.
Others expressed disappointment, however, that the elders had gone public before Ratu Finau had made a final decision on accepting the invitation, saying that the publicity was an insult to him and the other children of the late Ratu Mara.It was no one who went to the media about this information i don't know where this is coming from but the elders from Nayau have approched Ratu Finau and he said he will let them know of his decision,full stop.
As of July 2005, there was still no public announcement as to whether Mara has accepted the invitation to become the Tui Nayau, but his elder sister, Adi Ateca Ganilau
Ateca Ganilau
Adi Ateca Moce Ganilau is a Fijian public figure, best known as the eldest daughter of the former Prime Minister and President, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.- Opposition to government legislation :...
, said that discussions between the family and the mataqali (clan) were ongoing. She said there was no time limit; her father had been installed only after three years of discussions.
On 13 March 2006, the Fiji Village
Fiji Village
The Fiji Village is an online news service in Fiji. Published daily, it covers political, business, sporting, cultural, and other news items, and also includes the Yellow Bucket commentary, an editorial which does not necessarily reflect the views of the Fiji Village owners or staff, according to...
news service quoted Lau Provincial Council
Local government of Fiji
Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces; the self-governing island of Rotuma and its dependencies lie outside any of the four divisions. Each division is headed by a Commissioner, appointed by the Fijian government...
Chairman Ratu Josefa Basulu as saying that Mara had accepted an invitation from the chiefly Vuanirewa
Vuanirewa
The Vuanirewa is the ruling tribe of the Lau Islands, a scattered group of more than a hundred islands and reefs along the eastern edge of Fiji.- Origins :...
clan to succeed his late father as Tui Nayau, or Paramount Chief of Lau. A date for installation had yet to be finalized, he said.
Personal life
Mara has two children (Ratu Salesi Kinikinilau Mara and Adi Lawedua Rokolubatilakeba Mara) with Vitinia Tualau Buadromo. In 2004, he attended his father's state funeral in the capital, Suva, but was absent from the family funeral in Lakeba. He, along with his brother Roko Tevita UluilakebaTevita Mara
Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara is a Fijian career soldier, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as of early 2006. On 3 February, he was named Army Chief of Staff, succeeding Colonel Meli Saubulinayau, a close relative of his...
and his sister, Adi Ateca Ganilau
Ateca Ganilau
Adi Ateca Moce Ganilau is a Fijian public figure, best known as the eldest daughter of the former Prime Minister and President, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.- Opposition to government legislation :...
, were similarly absent from the Vakataraisulu ceremony, to mark the end of the year of mourning, held in Tubou Village, Lakeba. Local people expressed sadness that Ratu Finau and his siblings, who cited prior commitments, were unable to attend the Vakataraisulu.