The Miss Fiji Pageant committee has confirmed that Ailava Samuels will represent Fiji at the upcoming Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP). This affirmation comes with written verification from the MPIP Secretariat, reinforcing her position as Fiji’s official delegate.
Following the comments made by Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo, the committee clarified that it is following directives from the Minister for Local Government and Housing, Maciu Nalumisa, who has authorized Ms. Samuels’ participation. “The pageant committee defers to the line minister … who has instructed the committee to proceed with Miss Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant,” the statement noted.
The committee expressed concern that the Acting Prime Minister’s recent statements contradict earlier positions taken by Sitiveni Rabuka and Maciu Katamotu, who had endorsed the Cabinet paper that acknowledged Ms. Samuels as Fiji’s representative. The statement emphasized that the government does not interfere in the decisions made by independent pageant organizations regarding the selection of representatives for international competitions, asserting that such decisions adhere to rules, licensing agreements, and affiliations of the relevant bodies.
Additionally, the committee received formal confirmation from the MPIP Secretariat that recognizes Ms. Samuels as Fiji’s registered representative. They warned that any attempt to replace her could leave Fiji without a representative at the pageant. In light of the Acting Prime Minister’s remarks, the Minister has reiterated that the committee should ignore those comments and proceed with preparations for the event.
With Fiji set to host the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026, preparations are well underway, indicating an exciting opportunity for local participation and showcasing talent on a regional stage. This has sparked considerable anticipation among the contestants and supporters as the event approaches, reinforcing Fiji’s commitment to being an active participant in regional beauty pageantry.