File:Fijian Independence (picture including Keith Holyoake & Prince Charles) (10044808304).jpg

On October 10 1970, Fiji gained independence from Great Britain. Britain had ruled Fiji for 96 years after having annexed the country on October 10 1874. From 1874 to 1968 the currency in Fiji was the Fijian pound. Sir Arthur Gordon was one of the early Governor Generals in Fiji, and rather than establish direct rule in all spheres he granted autonomy over local affairs to Fiji's chiefs, though they were now forbidden to engage in tribal warfare. Gordon decided in 1878 to import indentured labourers from India to work on the sugarcane fields that had taken the place of the cotton plantations.

The first 463 Indians arrived on 14 May 1879 - the first of some 61,000 that were to come before the scheme ended in 1916. The plan involved bringing the Indian workers to Fiji on a five-year contract, after which they could return to India at their own expense; if they chose to renew their contract for a second five-year term, they would be given the option of returning to India at the government's expense, or remaining in Fiji. The great majority chose to stay. During WW2, Fijians offered support to Great Britain as the Fiji Infantry Regiment was attached to New Zealand and Australian army units.

These photographs presented here are a from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade collection. They were originally taken by the Fiji Times. Two of the images show Fijians dancing as part of the independence day celebrations. The other image has notable dignitaries who attended the independence day ceremonies including: Sir Keith Holyoake; Prince Charles; the Prime Minister of Tonga and the Prime Minister of Western Samoa.

Archives reference: AAEG 626 W2879 1/d 1 part 4 - archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=20833365

For updates on our On This Day series and news from Archives New Zealand, follow us on Twitter twitter.com/ArchivesNZ