Head of State of Fiji

Fiji first became a unified nation in 1871, when Seru Epenisa Cakobau united what had been a patchwork of warring fiefdoms. He ceded the nation to the United Kingdom in 1874. Fiji regained its independence as a Commonwealth Realm in 1970, and, following two military coups, it became a republic in 1987.

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.

Fiji was a British Crown Colony from 1874 to 1970. Although the British Monarch was in law represented by the Governor, in practice his or her functions were exercised in Fiji by the colonial Governor, who acted on instructions from the British government in London.

Fiji gained independence as the Dominion of Fiji, a Commonwealth realm within the Commonwealth of Nations, on 10 October 1970. The Governor-General, representing the monarch, acted on the advice of Fijian ministers rather than the British government.

†Ousted following military coup and proclamation of Republic.

Fiji was proclaimed a republic on 7 October 1987, upon the abdication of Queen Elizabeth II following two military coups. Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka, who had masterminded the coups, formed an interim administration, exercising the powers of the presidency but without taking the title, styling himself Head of the Interim Military Government instead. On 5 December that year, the last Governor General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, was appointed the first President. Ganilau served as President until 15 December 1993, when he died in office. He was succeeded by Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

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