Tailevu is one of Fiji's fourteen Provinces. One of eight Provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, its 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island, along with some central areas. At the 2007 census, the most recent to date, it had a population of 55,692, the fifth largest among the Provinces. The main urban area of Tailevu is Nausori with a population of 21,645 in 1996.
Tailevu includes the Districts of Bau, Nakelo, Verata, Wainibuka, and Sawakasa. Bau District includes Bau Island, the seat of the Kubuna Confederacy, one of three traditional chiefly hierarchies in Fiji. Kubuna's Paramount Chief, called the Vunivalu of Bau, is generally considered the most senior such chief in Fiji. Holders of the title included Seru Epenisa Cakobau, who forged the first nation-state out of the Fiji Islands and established the Kingdom of Viti, having himself crowned as King in 1871 before ceding the islands to the United Kingdom in 1874. The last to hold the title was Ratu Sir George Cakobau, who was also Governor-General of Fiji from 1973 to 1983. Since Cakobau's death in 1989, the office of Vunivalu has been vacant; this is thought to be partly because of disagreements over the succession. Discussions among the clans of Bau are currently underway to find a successor, with Cakobau's son, Ratu George Cakobau, considered a likely candidate.
Another Tailevu native, famous in a different way, is George Speight, who fronted the coup d'état that overthrew Fiji's elected government in 2000. Ratu Jope Seniloli, who was forced to resign the Vice-Presidency of Fiji in late 2004 following his conviction for coup-related offences, is also from Tailevu.
Probably Tailevu's detested son is the self imposed interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama who illegally seized power in a coup with the intentions to rid the Country of Political Corruption on the 5th of December 2006 which yet to be realised. This coup occurred six months after a General Election where the Laisenia Qarase led Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) won a convincing victory. Although the (SDL) Party won a convincing victory it wasn’t without controversy. It was allegedly claimed there were vote rigging involved and this was advised by the UN monitors among other monitors but ne’er confirmed.
Although George Speight was a hailed hero by the Indigenous Fijians he was found guilty of treason and was sentenced to death but was later commuted by the President of Fiji to life imprisonment, Voreqe Bainimarama although despised as a betrayer by ardent Fijian nationalists his intent was neither to weaken Fijian institutions nor disenfranchise Indigenous Fijians.
The Indigenous Fijians land, water ways, foreshore and sea-bed and fishing grounds is held in perpetuity among other special privileges they are entitled to as the Native People of Fiji.
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