{"id":258375,"date":"2026-01-29T23:11:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T23:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/258375\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T23:11:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T23:11:10","slug":"fiji-backs-sports-diplomacy-in-new-zealand-to-develop-fijian-talent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/258375\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiji backs sports diplomacy in New Zealand to develop Fijian talent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Action<\/p>\n

\nAction from the Bula 7s tournament in Wainuiomata, Wellington on January 17 2026.
\nPhoto: Bula 7s \/ Andy McArthur\n<\/p>\n

Sports diplomacy is part of the Fijian government’s efforts to ensure Fijians in New Zealand have opportunities where they can still develop their skills and showcase their talents.<\/p>\n

Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said events, such as the Wellington Bula 7s, Hamilton 7s and soccer tournaments in Auckland, brought the Fijian diaspora together.<\/p>\n

The events also present Fijians with the opportunity to showcase their sports talents and skills to New Zealand-based sports scouts.<\/p>\n

Ratu Inoke made the comments following the Wellington Bula 7s tournament earlier this month in Wainuomata, Wellington, where 15 clubs featuring Fijian players from around New Zealand participated.<\/p>\n

A local club, Hevelock North, also competed at the event, where defending champions and host club Wellington Flyers managed to retain their title.<\/p>\n

The Flyers snatched the 5-0 win over Rotorua Fijians at the William Jones Park, following a kick and chase by Jeremiah Avei-Collins, who scored the only try and points in the final.<\/p>\n

\"Champions<\/p>\n

\nChampions Wellington Flyers celebrate their win.
\nPhoto: Bula 7s \/ Andy McArthur\n<\/p>\n

Fiji High Commission second-secretary Samuela Kanakatakata was tasked to work with the Bula 7s committee to ensure that the event was managed well and ran smoothly.<\/p>\n

“The Fiji High Commission is willing to support the 2027 Bula 7s Tournament in New Zealand’s capital for the sole purpose of promoting sports diplomacy within New Zealand,” Ratu Inoke said.<\/p>\n

A number of Fijian rugby players have played for New Zealand in both sevens and XVs, after displaying their skills at previous sevens rugby tournaments organised by Fijian communities in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Some of the names include Lote Raikabula, Amasio Valence Raoma and Tomasi Cama Jnr, who all played for the All Blacks 7s. Those who went on to play for the All Blacks included prolific wingers Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu.<\/p>\n

\"Fiji<\/p>\n

\nFiji High Commission’s Samuela Kanakatakata, (right, presents the winner’s trophy to Wellington Flyers at the end of the Bula 7s tournament in Wainuiomata on 17 January 2026.
\nPhoto: Bula 7s\n<\/p>\n

The events also present an opportunity for Fijian businesses to promote themselves here in New Zealand, as they take up sponsorship slots at the different events.<\/p>\n

Fiji Airways and Pan Pacific, two Fijian companies represented in New Zealand, also joined the bandwagon at the Bula 7s, following the high commission’s support.<\/p>\n

Bula 7s committee president Eparama Soro said they were grateful for the support shown by the high commission.<\/p>\n

“That is much appreciated, having the backing of our country’s representative for the event,” he said.<\/p>\n

“The Bula 7s was initially started by a former high commissioner, Filimone Waqabaca, when he served here and to have the backing reconfirmed means so much because the event basically showcases our Fijian talents and brings our community members together.”<\/p>\n

Soro thanked Fiji Airways, who provided two return air tickets, Pan Pacific, all the teams that competed, all families, friends, supporters and the Wellington Fijian Community for making the tournament a success.<\/p>\n

Lower Hutt mayor and rugby commentator Ken Laban also visited the event during the day.<\/p>\n

Laban has also given his support for the event, with the Lower Hutt City Council helping out with resource support as well.<\/p>\n

Soro said the Bula 7s tournament continues to promote health, wellbeing and positive engagement for young Pacific and multicultural rugby players.<\/p>\n

Other major sports events organised by the Fijian diaspora in New Zealand include the Hamilton 7s, which will be held on 6-7 February, plus the annual New Zealand Fiji Football Incorporation tournaments – the International Masters, the Battle of the Giants and the Youth Championship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Action from the Bula 7s tournament in Wainuiomata, Wellington on January 17 2026. Photo: Bula 7s \/ Andy…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":258376,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[48,47,111,43,139,69,49,46,44,45],"class_list":{"0":"post-258375","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-zealand","8":"tag-audio","9":"tag-current-affairs","10":"tag-new-zealand","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-newzealand","13":"tag-nz","14":"tag-podcasts","15":"tag-public-radio","16":"tag-radio-new-zealand","17":"tag-rnz"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/258375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=258375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/258375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/258376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=258375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=258375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=258375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}