Tailevu is one of the 14 provinces of Fiji. Its capital town is Nausori, which lies along the banks of the Rewa River.
One of the eight provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, Tailevu's 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island along with some central areas.[1] At the 2017 census, it had a population of 64,552, the fifth largest among the provinces.[2]
Tailevu includes the districts of Bau, Nakelo, Verata, Vugalei, Wainibuka, Dawasamu and Sawakasa.[3] Bau District includes Bau Island, the seat of the Kubuna Confederacy, one of three traditional chiefly hierarchies in Fiji.[4] Kubuna's Paramount Chief, called the Vunivalu of Bau, is generally considered the most senior such chief in Fiji. It also includes the village of Maumi 21 km north-east of Suva, who speak their own dialect, known as Nawakura.[5] The population chose to move from a more remote area in 1977.[6]
The main urban area of Tailevu is Nausori with a population of 24,950.[7] The North of Tailevu is the backbone of the Dairy industry in Fiji which helped to establish Rewa Dairy.[8] Also located in the province is the Nausori International Airport, a major transportation hub for domestic and regional travel.[9]