Governor of Fiji facts for kids

Fiji was a British colony from 1874 to 1970. This means it was ruled by the United Kingdom. After that, it became an independent country, but still part of the Commonwealth. This group includes countries that used to be part of the British Empire.

During this time, the British King or Queen was the official head of state for Fiji. However, they didn't live in Fiji. Instead, a special person called a Governor handled their duties in Fiji before 1970. After Fiji became independent, this role changed to a Governor-General.

From 1877 to 1952, the Governors of Fiji also had another important job. They were the High Commissioners for the Western Pacific. This meant they were in charge of other smaller British territories in the Pacific Ocean too.

Quick facts for kids Governor of Fiji
Flag of the governor of Fiji from 1908 to 1970
Style	His Excellency The Right Honourable
Residence	Government House, Suva
Appointer	King/Queen of the United Kingdom
Formation	10 October 1874
First holder	Sir Hercules Robinson
Final holder	Sir Robert Sidney Foster
Abolished	10 October 1970
Succession	Governor-General of Fiji

Who Were Fiji's Governors?

Here is a list of the people who served as Governor of Fiji during the time it was a British colony. They were important leaders who helped manage the country.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Monarch
			Took office	Left office
Colony of Fiji
1	Sir Hercules Robinson (1824–1897)		10 October 1874	June 1875	Victoria
2	Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon (1829–1912)		19 August 1875	1880
3	Sir William Des Vœux (1834–1909)		20 December 1880	21 January 1885
—	John Bates Thurston (1836–1897) Acting Governor		21 January 1885	1 January 1887
4	Sir Charles Mitchell (1836–1899)		1 January 1887	February 1888
5	Sir John Bates Thurston (1836–1897)		February 1888	7 February 1897
6	Sir George T. M. O'Brien (1844–1906)		March 1897	1901
—	Sir William Allardyce (1861–1930) Acting Governor		1901	10 September 1902	Edward VII
7	Sir Henry Jackson (1849–1908)		10 September 1902	11 October 1904
8	Sir Everard im Thurn (1852–1932)		11 October 1904	1910
—	Sir Charles Major (1860–1933) Acting Governor		1910	21 February 1911
					George V
9	Sir Francis May (1860–1922)		21 February 1911	25 July 1912
10	Sir Ernest Sweet-Escott (1857–1941)		25 July 1912	10 October 1918
—	Sir Eyre Hutson (1864–1936) Acting for Sweet-Escott		1915	1916
11	Sir Cecil Hunter-Rodwell (1874–1953)		10 October 1918	25 April 1925
—	Sir Eyre Hutson (1864–1936) Acting for Hunter-Rodwell		1919	1919
12	Sir Eyre Hutson (1864–1936)		25 April 1925	22 November 1929
13	Sir Murchison Fletcher (1878–1954)		22 November 1929	May 1936
					Edward VIII
—	Sir Juxon Barton (1891–1980) Acting Governor		May 1936	November 1936
14	Sir Arthur Richards (1885–1978)		28 November 1936	August 1938
					George VI
—	Sir Juxon Barton (1891–1980) Acting Governor		August 1938	September 1938
15	Sir Harry Luke (1884–1969)		16 September 1938	20 July 1942
—	Alexander Theodore Newboult (1896–1964) Acting Governor		20 July 1942	22 July 1942
16	Sir Philip Mitchell (1890–1964)		22 July 1942	12 January 1944
—	Sir John Rankine (1907–1987) Acting Governor		12 January 1944	4 May 1944
—	Sir John Nicoll (1899–1981) Acting Governor		4 May 1944	23 October 1944
—	Sir John Rankine (1907–1987) Acting Governor		23 October 1944	1 January 1945
17	Sir Alexander Grantham (1899–1978)		1 January 1945	21 March 1947
—	Sir John Nicoll (1899–1981) Acting Governor		21 March 1947	8 October 1947
18	Sir Brian Freeston (1892–1958)		8 October 1947	6 October 1952
					Elizabeth II
19	Sir Ronald Garvey (1903–1991)		6 October 1952	28 October 1958
20	Sir Kenneth Maddocks (1907–2001)		28 October 1958	6 January 1964
21	Sir Derek Jakeway (1915–1993)		6 January 1964	December 1968
22	Sir Robert Sidney Foster (1913–2005)		December 1968	10 October 1970

Fiji Becomes Independent

In 1970, Fiji officially gained its independence from the United Kingdom. This meant it was no longer a British colony. After independence, the role of the Governor was replaced by the Governor-General of Fiji. This new leader represented the British monarch in Fiji, but Fiji was now a self-governing nation.

The Governor's Flag

The Governor of Fiji had a special flag to show their important position. These flags changed over the years.

Learn More

• Governor-General of Fiji
• List of heads of state of Fiji