This article lists the heads of state of Fiji, from the establishment of the

Kingdom of Fiji The Kingdom of Fiji, also known as the Kingdom of Viti, was a short-lived monarchy in Fiji. It existed from 1871 to 1874, with Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau as King. History The Kingdom of Fiji was the first unified Fijian state, and it covered ...

in 1871 to the present day. Currently, the

head of state A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...

of Fiji is the president of the republic, appointed by the

Parliament In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...

for a three-year term under the terms of the Constitution of 2013. The current president is

Ratu ''Ratu'' () is an Austronesian title used by male Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, ''adi'' (pronounced ), is used by females of chiefly rank. In the Malay language, the title ''ratu'' is also the traditional honorific title to re ...

Wiliame Katonivere Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere (born 20 April 1964) is a Fijian chief and politician who is the president of Fiji since 2021. He has also been the chief of Macuata Province since 2013, succeeding his older brother Aisea Katonivere, and was ...

. He was

elected Elected may refer to: * "Elected" (song), by Alice Cooper, 1973 * ''Elected'' (EP), by Ayreon, 2008 *The Elected, an American indie rock band See also *Election An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population ...

on 22 October 2021, and sworn in on 12 November 2021.

Tui Viti (King of Fiji) (1871–1874)

''Note that Cakobau had been the Vunivalu (Warlord/Paramount Chief) of Bau since 1852. He had long styled himself the Tui Viti (King of Fiji), but had not been recognized as such by other chiefs, and he exercised no direct authority outside his domain of Bau until he united the country under his leadership in 1871. His ancestors, going back as far as 1770, have often – erroneously – been listed as "Kings" of Fiji.''

British period (1874–1970)

On 10 October 1874, Cakobau signed the Deed of Cession, that granted the

British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts e ...

sovereignty over the islands. From 1874 to 1970, the British monarch was Fiji's formal head of state.

Governors

The British monarch was represented by a governor, who acted on the advice of the ''British'' government.

Queen of Fiji (1970–1987)

Fiji became an independent Commonwealth realm on 10 October 1970, and Elizabeth II assumed the role of ''Queen of Fiji''.

Governors-general

The Queen of Fiji was represented by a governor-general, who acted on the advice of the ''Fijian'' government.

Presidents (1987–present)

Fiji was proclaimed a republic on 7 October 1987, upon the deposition of the Fijian monarchy following two military coups.

Timeline

References

{{Fiji topics Fiji, Heads of State

Heads of state A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and ...

Heads of State A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and ...

Heads of state of Fiji 1871 establishments in Fiji