Chiefs to be turaga iTaukei and must be nominated by the Bose Vanua - Min.Itaukei Affairs

The Great Council of Chiefs Regulation 2023 guided the appointing of the chiefs to the GCC through the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.

Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu says the criteria for membership remains clear, where the chief needs to be a turaga iTaukei confirmed by the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission and they must be nominated by the Bose Vanua.

Vasu says members of the GCC must traditionally be confirmed in their position as turaga iTaukei and they acknowledge the current high vacant rates in chiefly titles and for this reason the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs adopted a flexible approach in this year’s appointment.

The Minister says they have initiated a training program for future leaders and future members of the GCC called ‘the isausauvou program’.

It is a six-week course designed to prepare the upcoming traditional leaders for Vanua Leadership and they have completed seven provinces.