Ratu Tevita Mara is the son of Fiji's first prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of itaukei Affairs
A Fijian political commentator predicts that Ratu Tevita Mara could well become prime minister in the future, once he gains chiefly status.
The King and Queen of Tonga are in Fiji this week to celebrate two historic ceremonies in honour of Ratu Tevita, the son of Fiji's first prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
On Tuesday, a huge crowd gathered on Nayau Island in Lau - northeast of the main island - for a grand ceremony to witness the island's kingmakers present his first title, Turaga Tui Nayau.
Ratu Tevita, a former military general, fled to Tonga in 2011 and went into exile after the then Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama wanted him tried for treason.
The royal family sheltered him in their Nuku'alofa palace, where he worked as an advisor to King Tupou VI.
The Bainimarama administration banned him from re-entering Fiji - something that only became possible after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's government came into power in December 2022.
The prestigious titles of Turaga Tui Nayau, Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau and Tui Lau are being be bestowed upon Ratu Tevita this week. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of itaukei Affairs
Tuesday's ceremony was highly significant because the titles had been vacant for more than two decades, following the death of Ratu Sir Kamisese in 2004.
Ratu Tevita will receive two more titles, Tui Lau and Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau, on Thursday during a ceremony at Tubou village in Lau.
University of Canterbury's distinguished professor Steven Ratuva believes his chiefly status and mana will pave the way for him enter politics.
"It has been the practice in the past that chiefs stand for elections, because it gives them more status and power," Ratuva said.
"I am not sure if he would put himself forward, he is quite a humble man and will have responsibilities as a provincial leader. But it is likely he will be approached by at least two political parties: Rabuka's ruling People's Alliance Party and Sodelpa."
Professor Steven Ratuva Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis
Ratuva said that even if he did not want to stand in next year's election, Ratu Tevita could be asked to support the parties and mobilise votes in his traditional constituency.
"He might say no to both of them, so other parties might decide to approach him," he said.
"Others might say keep away from politics, it's dirty. A lot of chiefs who are politics now get tangled up in all kinds of controversy, so he'll probably be torn between those two forces."
Ratu Tevita has kept his political leanings to himself and it is unclear if he would back Rabuka's government.
"Chiefly alliances change all the time, especially at this point in time, the political dynamics in Fiji are unpredictable."
Ratu Sir Kamisese formed the Alliance Party in the early 1960s. It was Fiji's first ruling party from 1966 to 1987, when the party was beaten by a Labour-led coalition led by Timoci Bavadra.
After less than a month in office, the new government was deposed in a military coup led by the then Lieutenant Colonel Rabuka.
