Suva Municipal Market

The Native Market was built on reclaimed land in the vicinity of the old Post Office, the old Customs House, the old Suva Yacht Club and Queen’s Wharf (since demolished).

The Native Market was dismantled to make space for the Bank of New South Wales building (present-day Westpac building, on the corner of Scott and Central Streets). It was moved to Cumming Street adjacent to the Nubukalou Creek.

Suva first became a Municipality when the operation of the Municipal Institution Ordinance of 1909 came into effect.

Most buildings in Cummings Street, once called All-Nations Street, was destroyed by a fire in February. Most of the buildings were wooden and the aftermath led to the reorganization of the fire brigade and new legislation which required commercial buildings to be made of stone, brick or concrete. The market survived with damages to the eastern wall and roof only.

The Suva Municipal Market was built by Whans Construction Limited near the newly constructed Rodwell Road and the Suva bus station. It was a rectangular shape with two central open-air courtyards in the middle. It contained wooden and concrete stalls, and sold fresh food, fish and souvenirs for tourists.

Sometime later, the open-air courtyards were roofed and the market was expanded with an additional two-storey rotunda. Yaqona and spices are sold upstairs while fresh fruit and vegetables are sold downstairs.