Rusiate Nayacakalou

Who is Rusiate Nayacakalou?

Rusiate Nayacakalou was a Fijian social anthropologist who was a graduate of the universities of New Zealand and London. Following his education at Lelean Memorial School, in Nausori, Fiji Nayacakalou joined the Fijian public service where his excellent academic potential was recognised by the Colonial Government and was sent for tertiary education in New Zealand. He completed a B.A Economics and then a B.A Anthropology before completing an M.A in Anthropology in 1956. He then went on to the University of London where he became the first South Pacific islander to graduate with a PhD in 1963. His mentor at the University of London was Professor Sir Raymond Firth.

In 1964, after appointment to the staff of the Anthropology Department of Sydney University, he was released to advise the Council of Chiefs in Fiji on the restructuring of the Fijian Administration and was later responsible for implementing this restructuring.

Dr. Nayacakalou was awarded the O.B.E in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 1971 as a result of that work.

His citation reads: “The general acceptance and successful implementation of the important reforms of the Fijian Administration are largely the works of Dr Nayacakalou and in this achievement he has made a significant contribution to the future of his people and the Dominion of Fiji.”