LIVING IN THE QOLlQOLl: URBAN SQUATTING ON THE FIJI FORESHORE

Authors

Jenny Bryant-Tokalau, University of OtagoFollow

Abstract

Fiji's 2006 coup was partially carried out as a response by Bainimarama to three pieces of legislation debated by the Qarase government. One was the Qoliqoli Act. Under the act, rights to the seabed, foreshore, and indigenous fisheries of Fiji would be invested in indigenous landowners. This was a long time in the making and would have recognized the rights of customary owners to coasts and other waterways. The legislation is stalled but may be revived in the future as indigenous Fijians demand to have land under their own control. Whether some compromise is ever reached and whether it ever becomes law is still in doubt, but the question of ownership of traditional fishing grounds and rights to the foreshore are likely to rise again in the future. The situation of the urban poor, many of whom live on the qoliqoli, is likely to be contentious.

Recommended Citation

Bryant-Tokalau, Jenny (2010) "LIVING IN THE QOLlQOLl: URBAN SQUATTING ON THE FIJI FORESHORE," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 33: No. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol33/iss1/1