1.0 Salutation
Ni sa tiko Saka;
(i) Na Turaga Na Vunivalu Na Tui Kaba
(ii) Na Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi
(iii) Na Turaga na Tui Cakau (ka sega ni tiko rawa ena yakavi vinaka ni kua);
(iv) Kemuni na Turaga Bale kei na Marama Bale ko ni duavata tiko mai ena soqo lagilagi ni kena dolavi na Ratu Sukuna Park
(v) The Diplomatic Corps, my fellow Honorable Ministers, The Leader of Opposition, Heads of Institutions, Corporate Executives, Ladies & Gentlemen
Bula Vinaka and Good Afternoon to you all!!
Before I proceed, I wish to acknowledge and pay my respect to the traditional custodian of the land whom accommodates us today;
Ki vua na Na Taukei Nadonumai na Gone Turaga Na Tui Suva, Vinaka Vakalevu na veiciqomi ni vanua ena kena vakayacori na soqo lagilagi e daidai.
2.0 Ratu Sukuna Park Site
Ladies and Gentlemen, a Fijian Agricultural economist, a former diplomat, and politician, Mr Kaliopate Tavola, in his article “Swimming under the Ivi Tree: Ratu Sukuna Park, Land Reclamation (…), from the book “Suva Stories”, a history of the Capital of Fiji, quipped:
“My favorite early memory of Suva was swimming under the Ivi tree opposite Vanua House along Victoria Parade, where Ratu Sukuna Park is, here today. “
In 1955, through land reclamation along the Suva Foreshore, Ratu Sukuna Park was developed.
At the time of the ‘swim’, Ratu Sukuna was 67 years of age. He passed on three (3) years later in May 1958.
So, where we are, here today, was part of the sea before. Through land reclamation, we have now shifted from swimming to sitting around in the Park having talanoa sessions and relaxing.
The late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna (22nd April 1888 – 30th May 1958) was a distinguished Fijian Scholar, a Soldier, a Statesman,
He is regarded as the forerunner of the post-independence leadership of Fiji.
As an architect of Fiji’s modern development, a staunch advocate for the preservation of Fijian culture and tradition and, he believed that true progress could not be achieved by erasing the past but by integrating it into the future.
In recognition of Ratu Sukuna’s contribution to laying the foundation for what contemporary Fiji is today, the PARK was named after him.
Upgraded Park
Some of us were still young children or even born when Ratu Sukuna Park was developed. We do not know what it looked like in the beginning but most of us have some recollections of the famous park scenery before it was officially closed in January 2022 for upgrading work to start. Construction began in May 2023. Today, we can witness the new look of Ratu Sukuna Park with added features like;
• New podium structure
• New design night lights
• New modern park furniture
• New digital screen and surround sound
• New design landscape, hardscape and greenspace
• New perimeter fence
• New wide concrete tracks
• New park walkway
• New water feature to complement Ratu Sukuna’s monument
Hence, Ratu Sukuna Park symbolizes peace, tranquility, creativity and a new beginning.
Ratu Sukuna Park is an ísland within the city where everyone can take a rest, distress, observe, meet with old friends, families and reflect to start a new direction in life.
To conclude, I would like to thank;
• Suva City Council for solely funding this project;
• those who initiated the project;
• the current management team and staff
• The Hon. Minister Maciu Nalumisa, under whose leadership the current administration, a dedicated team of Special Administrators, ensured the completion of the project.
Last but not least, the onus is on us to keep the park the way it should be, and it will reciprocate by providing us the comfort that we all crave.
Let us continue to work together to transform Suva into a city of nature and maintain our status as the best city for the environment, among other cities in the world, on the Global Cities Index. Let us create a livable and sustainable home for everyone.
Vinaka Vakalevu.
