Ministry of Environment to find out number of confiscated Tabua in Fiji,Australia and USA boarders

The Ministry of Itaukei Affairs together with the Ministry of Environment will be looking to find out how many Tabua have been confiscated at the borders of other countries including Fiji as a result of incomplete documentation.

This comes after the successful return of 146 Tabua to the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs, these Tabua were confiscated at New Zealand borders.

Permanent Secretary of Environment, Joshua Wycliffe highlighted that this process would take a while considering that it took a little over 3 years to obtain the Tabua that were returned from New Zealand.

He adds that Fiji is looking to continue discussions with Australia, USA and the UK to continue the process of retrieving Tabua that have been confiscated from Fijians who travel to these countries.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs, Meleti Bainimarama earlier highlighted that the 136 Tabua from the Ministry of Environment will go towards the establishment of a Tabua Shop that will be run by the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs.

He adds that the Tabua Shop will ensure that Itaukei tradition and culture is protected and this will also help address the issue of fake Tabua.

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