An evening of history for council members

The Fiji New Zealand Business Council (FNZBC) hosted its members to a networking event last week to commemorate both Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna day and Girmit day.

The cocktail event was held on June 2 at the Fiji Museum in Suva, allowing attendees the opportunity to absorb the historic knowledge held within the museum’s walls.

FNZBC president Renu Chand said the national museum was the ideal venue because it not only held the legacy of the Fijian people but also held several artefacts from the wider Pacific, including from New Zealand.

“For the business council, what’s important with us hosting this event was that May observed two key historic milestones in Fiji history,” Ms Chand said.

“I think it’s important that the legacy of our ancestors is carried through for the next generation.

“We thought today could be our event for our members to share some of that historic background information, see all the memorabilia, and also to showcase some of the artefacts from New Zealand that are at the museum.”

Council co-vice president James Trusler said it was an honour to have the presence of Museum Patron and former Fiji president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, and to have the director of the museum Sipiriano Nemani deliver the keynote speech.

“The Fiji museum, or any museum for that matter, may stand just as a building but within its walls reside the critical keys to draw people and cultures together,” Mr Nemani said.

The FNZBC will be hosting a joint conference with the New Zealand Fiji Business Council on September 1, 2023, in Auckland.