Naiqaqi/Government Buildings, Suva
Occupying the site of Fiji’s first sugar mill, Naiqaqi is the name that was informally given to a large swath of land which begins at the Dophin Plaza (on Victoria Parade and Loftus Street) and extends southward to the present day iTaukei Land Trust Board, the Fiji Broadcasting Commission and the Government Buildings area.
Naiqai translates from the Fijian Language as “the mill,” but etymologically and colloquially, it has become known as “the crusher.”
If you’re a real history detective, keep your eyes peeled for a large gear on display near the corner of Carnarvon and Loftus Streets, behind FNPF Place. Local lore has it that the 5-foot diameter gear once belonged to the mill.
Growing cane to feed the mill was what initially brought settlers, many of them planters, to Suva.
The mill was built by Leicester Smith in 1873. Due to the shallow soil in the Suva area, the sugar venture was a failure. Eventually, the mill broke down and management did not honor its promise to buy the planters’ cane, so the mill was ultimately closed in late 1875.
Opposite the iTaukei Land Trust Board and Fiji Broadcasting Commission buildings, crossing Thurston Street, is the massive Government Building complex.
Until 1935, the area was a swamp, about 4 feet below present road level, with the mouth of a creek as its center and its bed in some places 60 feet lower than the surrounding areas. The swamp was filled with crushed soapstone, and although part of the creek was diverted to run alongside Albert Park, some water still flows through the loosely packed stones far below the buildings.
More than 3 miles of reinforced concrete piles, driven down to the creek bed, support the buildings. In 1937, the foundation stone was laid by Gov. Arthur Richards, and in 1939, the buildings were officially opened by Gov. Harry Luke.
The clock chimes, which divide the lives of Government Buildings office workers and nearby residents into 15 segments, from 6 a.m. to midnight, consist of five different tunes, all in the key of F major.
The new wing of Government Buildings was dedicated in 1967 by Gov. Derek Jakeway.
Naiqai translates from the Fijian Language as “the mill,” but etymologically and colloquially, it has become known as “the crusher.”
If you’re a real history detective, keep your eyes peeled for a large gear on display near the corner of Carnarvon and Loftus Streets, behind FNPF Place. Local lore has it that the 5-foot diameter gear once belonged to the mill.
Growing cane to feed the mill was what initially brought settlers, many of them planters, to Suva.
The mill was built by Leicester Smith in 1873. Due to the shallow soil in the Suva area, the sugar venture was a failure. Eventually, the mill broke down and management did not honor its promise to buy the planters’ cane, so the mill was ultimately closed in late 1875.
Opposite the iTaukei Land Trust Board and Fiji Broadcasting Commission buildings, crossing Thurston Street, is the massive Government Building complex.
Until 1935, the area was a swamp, about 4 feet below present road level, with the mouth of a creek as its center and its bed in some places 60 feet lower than the surrounding areas. The swamp was filled with crushed soapstone, and although part of the creek was diverted to run alongside Albert Park, some water still flows through the loosely packed stones far below the buildings.
More than 3 miles of reinforced concrete piles, driven down to the creek bed, support the buildings. In 1937, the foundation stone was laid by Gov. Arthur Richards, and in 1939, the buildings were officially opened by Gov. Harry Luke.
The clock chimes, which divide the lives of Government Buildings office workers and nearby residents into 15 segments, from 6 a.m. to midnight, consist of five different tunes, all in the key of F major.
The new wing of Government Buildings was dedicated in 1967 by Gov. Derek Jakeway.
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Naiqaqi/Government Buildings on Map
Sight Name: Naiqaqi/Government Buildings
Sight Location: Suva, Fiji (See walking tours in Suva)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Suva, Fiji (See walking tours in Suva)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Suva, Fiji
Create Your Own Walk in Suva
Creating your own self-guided walk in Suva is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
FijiGuide Suva Walking Tour
Suva can lay certain claim to being the largest and perhaps the most livable city in the South Pacific outside New Zealand or Australia. The capital of Fiji since 1883, it is set on 15 sq km of peninsula adjacent to one of the finest naturally protected harbors in the South Seas, and is a home for about 330,000 residents (including suburbs and neighboring communities).
Apart from being the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Apart from being the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles