The traditional image of iTaukei women as dignified, demure, warm-hearted, stoic, resilient, hard-working, shoulders to cry on for their children, loyal to their menfolk even when they don’t deserve it and the backbone of their families and the vanua is taking a real battering at the hands of Barbara Malimali and Tanya Waqanika.
With their chronic self-entitlement and absence of self-awareness, “Barbwire” and “Hippo” – as they’ve been dubbed by the Sydney whistleblower, Alexandra Forwood – have increasingly been setting a less than stellar example of how to behave to Fijian young people in general and iTaukei young women in particular.
Correction. They’ve been God-awful role models at a time of unprecedented social dislocation and rebellion in the country. And not a week goes by when the Dreadful Duo exhibit conduct that is not only cringe-worthy but raises serious questions about their suitability for any role in public life.
We’ll come soon to Tanya Waqanika’s latest outburst – publicly threatening the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, with a tribunal to try him for misbehaviour unless he removes the Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika. And calling on Rokoika to resign when she has no cause legally to do so while she still has the President’s confidence.
But first some background, starting with “Barbwire” and “Hippo’s” intense dislike of foreigners. We have been newly reminded by Victor Lal of their shocking behaviour at the Ashton-Lewis Commission of Inquiry when both women attacked the Judge and his Counsel Assisting, Janet Mason, as outsiders who had no right to stand in judgment of Malimali as an indigenous person.
Here it is again for those of you who might have missed it, including the relevant extract from the CoI Report:
With those outbursts, Barbara Malimali and Tanya Waqanika were ignorant as well as offensive. Because they seemed to have no idea that Janet Mason is a Fiji citizen, born in Fiji, whose mother is iTaukei and who speaks the Fijian language fluently.
She also happens to have once attended Jasper Williams School in Lautoka, where Malimali also went. Yet none of that mattered as “Barbwire” and “Hippo” put on a display of arrogance and chauvinism – make that racism – that shames any right-thinking Fijian.
As arguably a better example of iTaukei womanhood than either Barbwire or Hippo could ever be, Janet Mason remained silent in the face of this extraordinary onslaught. But it is not forgotten by anyone who witnessed it and nor should it be. Because this kind of conduct is simply unacceptable in Fiji and must be called out before others are emboldened to follow the Dreadful Duo’s example.
And of course in the case of Barbara Malimali, this was on top of all of her other scandalous behaviour exposed at the CoI – the multiple criminal charges she would be facing were it not for the fact that the nation’s two main prosecutors – Nancy Tikoisuva and John Rabuku – are personal friends.
She is also protected by a cabal of senior figures in the criminal justice system from the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, down. Plus her friends in the legal fraternity in Suva who think she is fit to be FICAC Commissioner when she is so demonstrably unsuitable and must never be allowed back as corruption watchdog.
“Barbwire” and “Hippo” are currently Fiji’s most visible double act – the biggest since Frank and Aiyaz. When Tanya is in court, Barbie appears for her. And when Barbie is in court, Tanya is there to support her, sometimes pro bono (without charge) and sometimes on a lucrative drip, as when Malimali allegedly paid Waqanika $160,000 of public money to defend her at the CoI.
And, of course, they are always covering each other’s backs with public statements in the mainstream or social media that have become increasingly intemperate, even shrill, as the establishment balks at accepting what they believe is the irresistible logic of Barbara Malimali turning the tables on the Prime Minister and waltzing back into FICAC to continue the willful assault on the rule of law that marked her term in office.
Before we go on, let’s just remind ourselves of that again from the pages of the CoI Report that has never been published by the mainstream media in Fiji and of which most Fijians remain ignorant. Which of course, enables “Barbwire” and “Hippo” to get away with their outrageous claim that nothing should stand in the way of Barbie’s triumphant return to Rev John Hunt House.
How’s this for a CV, Fiji? The person who aspires to be the corruption watchdog and lied about the fact that she can’t even practice as a lawyer in Tuvalu because of her professional misconduct. (If you’ve read it before, skip to the next section).
There have been seven separate police investigations into these alleged offences and not one has been pursued by Barbara Malimali’s friends at the ODPP – the Acting DPP, Nancy Tikoisuva and the Deputy DPP, John Rabuku, who were both adversely mentioned in the CoI Report for not declaring their conflict of interest.
Yet nothing has emboldened “Barbwire” and “Hippo” more than the ruling by Justice Dane Tuiqereqere that the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, was wrong in law to remove Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.
Regular readers of Grubsheet know that Tuiqereqere’s judgment is hotly disputed – a relatively new judge with a legal background in personal accident compensation contradicting the opinion by New Zealand’s foremost constitutional expert, Professor Philip Joseph KC, and now Andrew Butler KC that the Prime Minister DID have the right to remove Malimali.
There is no need to repeat what Grubsheet has published in successive articles that the Prime Minister could and should have appealed Tuiqereqere’s ruling. But to cut a long story short, Barbara and Tanya are screaming like proverbial banshees that “Barbwire”‘s replacement at FICAC, Lavi Rokoika, should be removed and she should be reinstated.
Now, of course, the mercury has soared as the Judicial Services Commission headed by Salesi Temo insists that the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, honour Justice Tuiqereqere’s ruling and the President, for reasons of his own, is dragging his feet.
You’d think that as all this plays out, Barbie and Tanya would quietly keep their lobbying efforts below the radar and allow others to make the case. But that’s not their style.
Never mind that Ratu Naiqama is Fiji’s Head of State. Never mind that he is the Tui Cakau – one of the nation’s highest chiefs. Tanya Waqanika has taken to him with a baseball bat, threatening him with a Tribunal hearing for misbehaviour and accusing him of playing favourites with Lavi Rokoika because she is evidently family. (So is the Chief Justice, of course).
It is all quite extraordinary. “Hippo” seems to have completely taken leave of her senses to threaten the President in such a crude manner. And from where Grubsheet sits, I simply cannot remember a time when an iTaukei commoner like Tanya Waqanika has shown so little regard for appropriate conduct towards a high chief and the nation’s head of state.
I’m not saying I haven’t insulted Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu myself. I have. But I am not iTaukei. Nor am I trying to achieve the objective of getting a close friend reinstated to a high office of state. In trying to paint the President into a corner with threats of legal action against him, “Hippo” seems to have lost all sense of reason. Does she honestly think that Ratu Naiqama trembles at her feet? In his shoes, anyone would be digging in.
What we are witnessing are two women behaving either as if they are unhinged or the game is getting away from them or both. They are certainly in grave danger of overplaying their hand. But it is also an unprecedented challenge to the traditional authority of those to whom they would have once been expected to defer. And as such, it tells us a great deal about how Fiji has changed and the breakdown of a social order that was once unquestioned.
Take a look at just some of what “Hippo” has been posting in recent days and make up your own mind about whether she has crossed the line. Because some of this stuff is highly provocative. And if Tanya Waqanika and Barbara Malimali prevail against the Head of State and the Prime Minister because of their belligerence, things will have changed in Fiji a lot more than we think.
Maybe a great many other iTaukei women support them. Or maybe it’s Grubsheet who is behind the times, with outdated attitudes to appropriate conduct rooted in Viti Makawa and a social order that no longer exists.
Yes, hold that thought and read on….
Openly in contempt of the court proceedings against the sidelined deputy prime minister, Manoa Kamikamica.
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And the big one – an astonishing attack on the President, including threatening him with suspension and a Tribunal hearing to try him for misbehaviour.
From Tanya Waqanika’s Facebook page:
UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW!!
Kudos to Rt Aca Rayawa and his post which I have posted below. This is exactly what CJ did when Pulewai did a failed coup at FICAC and unlawfully arrested and detained Barbara Malimali. CJ issued a directive that all Court registries around the country not accept any charges filed by FICAC under Pulewai’s directive. Having Rokoika continue as Head of FICAC on our taxpayers expense is an attack on the Rule of Law- this tantamounts to an abuse of office & JSC needs to make a stand on the Rule of Law.
Well- all those that partook in that failed coup have all been removed from FICAC. Such is karma.
President’s Ceremonial Role
As per the online article posted below, the President is seeking advise on the JSC recommendations. The provision in the Constitution is clear- the President’s role is ceremonial and he just endorses the recommendations from JSC.
Severance Pay
I read on Mai TV online news that the President is now seeking a severance pay for Lavi Rokoika. How can the severance pay be negotiated when Rokoika’s appointment did not follow legal and constitutional process. For the President to even pitch this to JSC – this is unlawful!! How can we as taxpayers pay for someone whose appointment is being legally challenged.
To add insult- the President negotiates Rokoika’s severance and yet my client has not received her pay from the date her appointment was illegally revoked by the President himself on the advise of the PM.
Revocation of Malimali’s appointment
It is common knowledge that the VAKALALABURE’s are related to the PM & President. I have been reading the online news where PM is saying that “JSC is to deal with Rokoika & he has no business on FICAC”. Thank goodness that PM is finally listening to wise legal counsel- we had to get a court ruling to remind him of his rule.
Our nation has spent an approx $4m and counting on this COI, JR and the continued illegal salary of Rokoika (again funded by taxpayers).
Malimali was suspended on 29/05/25. I met someone on the early morning of 29/05/25 and this person told me that my client was going to be removed. I questioned on the reliability of the information- it was confirmed that Tevita Vakalalabure, Lavi Rokoika, Gilbert Vakalalabure all at the President’s house (with the President that very morning). It was also confirmed that the President gave the directive on the phone to the PM that he was going to revoke Malimali & appoint Rokoika. I communicated immediately to some Govt Ministers and a few others and told them of my briefing. A Govt Minister calls me back and says that JSC were not aware and nor were they informed of any moves to remove Malimali.
I called my client (she had just arrived from overseas travel) and told her to standby as she was going to be fired. She responded as well that JSC had not informed her of anything and the process for her removal is via a tribunal.
Two hours later – a group of close friends of Malimali received a messaged on the same day that Rokoika had walked in with another officer from the President’s office with her letter of suspension (2 hours later). Rokoika plays dumb and says that she was not aware of anything….there is always an unseen witness to every meeting.
We have had coups because the coupsters say that the democratically elected Govt is corrupt. The last coup we had – resulted in 16 years of the rule to FFP. I will never ever allow Fiji to go back to lawlessness as it created instability and brings forth frictions, especially amongst us the itaukeis. Our silence is our acquiescence. The corruption within FICAC & FSC is open to everyone in our nation and it’s shameful that our leaders continue to support such illegality- Shame on you all!!!
If the President continues on the standoff with the JSC- there are provisions in the Constitution for him to be referred to a a tribunal. I honor his position and his role but I only fear God.
We must vote those that uphold the Rule of Law in the next GE. We deserve better for our nation.
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I reckon now is an appropriate time for Hippo and Barbwire to bring up the shenanigans of the president and his role in impregnating a special needs child under his care. Someone also said to me that the president also killed someone in a car accident many years ago.
The reality is, if Barbwire is not suitable for the FICAC role, neither is the president for his role. Now is the opportunity to make the whole sh*t hit the fan. I reckon these two should take this opportunity to do just that.
Now there’s food for thought. And what a stodgy little offering it is. Anyone else despairing for Fiji this weekend? Karaik.
“Carpe diem”, I say to these to ladies. Seize the opportunity and set things right. Not that I am a fan of these two, but they will be widely celebrated if they do take this up. Find the special needs lady and the child fathered by this imposter and expose the whole story, notations not already widely well known. Change is needed and quickly, that is most important.
Not agreeing on decorum as an ethnic marker for women. Outdated and outlandish suggestions…so purdah n hijab only for Muslim women. This detracts from the opportunity for a reasonable expose of ethnic entitlement that the particular players you mention are guilty of according to evidence provided. Please cut out the SVM patriarchal condescension.
But of course, when it comes to men behaving badly, that would be OK, wouldn’t it?
This is the biggest entanglement of the century:
1. President caught out between family relations with Natewa Vikings and Temo. He doesn’t know which way to go!
2. Temo caught out with his JSC recommendations to remove Lavi going end of Line and hit brickwall of President’s Office whilst he (Temo) himself also faces suspension as per COI recommendations.
3. PM caught out after Tuiqereqere ruling and fears abuse of office charges on him (PM) so he playing safe now.
4. Malimali and Tanya caught out in all of the above as they need President to act on JSC recommendation while they need PM to act if President doesn’t act on JSC recommendation. Malimali told PM earlier that “I will punch you” so PM might not act in her favour.
So, in the final analysis, this is the the greatest entanglement in Fiji’s History! The biggest stalemate of the century. And legend has it that this fight will continue in the sidelines when PAP loses the election. Malimali will still want to be commissioner of FICAC even when FICAC is dissolved by Rambo.
One more in it is Kamikamica entangled with Biman hoping Barbie comes to save them lol. Bahut drama yaar, seriously.
Social media has allowed many of the same ilk the opportunity to air dirty laundry in public at the click of a button.
Whilst I don’t support the means, I have my popcorn ready and eagerly await the full blown assault on the patriarchy and establishment.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Spectacular, if not biblical, this shall be.
Agree with the sentiments of this article but don’t support body shaming. Both these ladies have been a public nuisance and lack the good grace of professionalism. They examplify the breakdown of mores in Fijian society.
At the same time we see visuals of the two women arrested in relation to drug importation attending court like they are on ramp doing catwalk. Different sides of same issue…loss of a good upbringing.
Did I “body shame”? Oh you mean Alex Forwood’s description of Tanya Waqanika as “Hippo”?
Does Tanya look as if she’d be shamed by anyone? That’s the whole problem, isn’t it?
The epitome of entitlement perception is there for all to see, being magnificently exhibited by these two overweight obese kaiviti female lawyers.
The judgement has been delivered and quite clearly articulated that Barbara’s termination was illegal BUT nowhere in the judgement did Justice Tuiqereqere spelt out that SHE SHOULD BE REINSTATED.
Thats for the JSC to meddle on.
Can the two just accept that and move on?
As Victor Lal has exposed Tanya was paid more than $100k for all her bullshit in representing Barbs.
Is she barking now because she can no longer milk the FICAC coffers? and so no more money coming.
And moreover the way she keeps barking out to journalists and the media after every court hearing shows her disrespect for the court.
Cry baby !! Cry my beloved country.
For whom the bell tolls.
Rabuka should have acted on people who were implicated in COI and suspended all of them till the investigation was over. Now everyone implicated in COI is after Rabuka and the President. They’re all trying to save themselves including the PM and President. Sad to see criminals running this beautiful country.
Dumbo the Elephant is more appropriate than Barbwire.
This is not about identity, but about preparedness for public responsibility. When advancement appears intertwined with patronage or “spoils” dynamics rather than merit and leadership development, the consequences are institutional.
Perhaps the broader challenge for Fiji is this: when stepping into the public arena, are we consciously choosing behaviors that elevate the office and strengthen public trust — or simply reacting in the moment? Public visibility is never neutral. It becomes a live leadership lesson for younger Fijians who are watching closely and forming their understanding of what is “normal” in civic life.
If public discourse is dominated by confrontation, personal attacks, or reactive conduct, it risks distracting from constructive conversation and forward-looking solutions. The real question, then, is whether we are modeling the kind of leadership culture that encourages thoughtful engagement, institutional respect, and positive national progress — not just managing the drama of the moment.
Perhaps, in this context, the two women at the center of the current public attention might benefit from taking a moment to pause, reflect, and deliberately consider how their conduct in public can shape perception, influence norms, and contribute to a more constructive civic discourse.
Vinaka. Your wisdom shines through in this comment. Much appreciated.
Caught up in their own web of deception, their own web of conflicted interests, and leaving themselves with very little room to move without further strangulation.
This would have to be one of the best life lessons on avoiding conflicts of interest I’ve observed. Great case example for political and legal degrees as to why democratic processes are what they are.