iTaukei Affairs (Great Council of Chiefs) Regulations 2024 (L.N. No. 11 of 2024)

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the iTaukei Affairs (Great Council of Chiefs) Regulations 2024. (2) These Regulations come into force on the date of publication in the Gazette. Interpretation

2. In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires— “chief” means the head of the vanua who has been traditionally installed and recorded as such in the Register of iTaukei Landowners administered by the iTaukei Lands Commission; “Constitution” means the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji; “Council” means the Great Council of Chiefs; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for iTaukei affairs; and “Permanent Secretary” means the Permanent Secretary responsible for iTaukei affairs. Membership

3.—(1) The Council consists of the following members— (a) 3 ex-officio members— (i) the President; (ii) the Prime Minister; and (iii) the Minister; (b) 6 members nominated by the Minister; (c) 42 chiefs representing the 14 provinces with each province represented by 3 members nominated in accordance with regulation 4; and (d) 3 members nominated by the Council of Rotuma. 40 (2) The Minister may, before a meeting of the Council, cause the names of members of the Council to be published in the Gazette. Nomination of representatives from the provinces

4. —(1) The nomination of members representing the provinces is to be carried out by the Bose Vanua and where applicable, the nomination of female members is to be encouraged. (2) A nominee under subregulation (1) must be a chief who has been traditionally installed as Turaga iTaukei, Marama iTaukei, Liuliu ni Yavusa or Liuliu ni Mataqali and recorded as such in the Register of iTaukei Lands administered by the iTaukei Lands Commission, possesses exemplary leadership qualities and has served in his or her province. (3) The nomination of members representing the provinces must be held at a date, time and place as may be determined by the chairperson of each provincial council. Tenure

5. A member of the Council other than an ex-officio member holds office for 3 years unless earlier revoked or terminated. Disqualification of members

6. A person is not eligible to be a member of the Council if he or she— (a) is an undischarged bankrupt; (b) is an in-mate or extra-mural prisoner; (c) is a person of unsound mind; or (d) is an office holder of a political party. Chairperson

7.—(1) The Chairperson of the Council must be elected by the Council from amongst its members and the Secretary of the Council must preside over the election of the Chairperson. (2) The Chairperson of the Council holds office for a term of 3 years and is eligible for re-election. Secretary of the Council

8. The Permanent Secretary is the Secretary of the Council. Resignation of members

9. A member of the Council under regulation 3(1)(b), (c) or (d) may resign from his or her membership by notice in writing and such resignation takes effect on the receipt of the notice by the Secretary of the Council. Meetings

10. The Council must meet at the time and place appointed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette. Rules of procedure

11. The Council may make rules regulating its proceedings at any of its meetings and the mode of conducting its business. Quorum

12. The quorum of the Council is 36. 41 Attendance by invitation

13. The Council may invite any person to attend a meeting, and such person may take part in the proceedings of the meeting but is not entitled to vote. Duties of the Council

14.—(1) The duties of the Council are to­— (a) deliberate, review, formulate and determine issues, policies and laws that relate to the rights, interests, health, welfare, order and governance of the iTaukei people as the Minister or iTaukei Affairs Board may refer to the Council; (b) consider any proposal or report that relates to the matters as set out under paragraph (a); and (c) undertake any other duty or function imposed on it by any written law. (2) Before making any recommendation on any matter, the Council may appoint a committee consisting of a chairperson and members of the Council or co-opted members as the Council deems suitable, to consider the matter and report back to the Council. Report of proceedings

15. The Secretary of the Council must submit a report of each meeting of the Council to the Minister as soon as practicable after the meeting. Revocation

16. The iTaukei Affairs (Great Council of Chiefs) Regulations 2023 is revoked. Made this 23rd day of February 2024. I. VASU Minister for iTaukei Affairs Price: 57c STAR PRINTERY PTE LTD, (Government Printer), Suva, Fiji – 2024 19/FGGS/24—170 Official Printer Since 2022