ABSTRACT
Fiji gained independence from Britain in 1970. A number of five year development plans followed. As Fiji’s Ninth Development Plan (1986–1990) observed, all these plans focused on ‘economic growth, more equitable distribution of the benefits of development, generation of increased employment opportunities, diversification of the economic base, greater self reliance, and balanced regional development’. The Eighth Development Plan (1981–1985) also introduced a basic needs approach – ‘a short-term form of Government intervention to help those in extreme need through both direct grants and programmes of self help’. These are admirable goals.
