11 Facts About Kuini Speed

Adi Kuini Teimumu Vuikaba Speed was a Fijian chief and politician, who served as Deputy Prime Minister from May 1999 to May 2000.

Kuini Speed was the head girl at Adi Cakobau School in 1968, and went on to graduate from the University of the South Pacific and from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Kuini Speed subsequently pursued a career in the Public Relations Office, which later became the Ministry of Information.

The widow of Fiji Labour Party founder and former Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, Adi Kuini became the leader of the Labour Party after her husband's death in 1989, but resigned in 1991 to take up residence for a few years in Canberra, Australia.

Kuini Speed was succeeded by Mahendra Chaudhry as leader of the Fiji Labour Party.

Adi Kuini Speed returned to Fiji in 1994 and became leader of the Fijian Association Party in 1998 succeeding the former Finance Minister Josefata Kamikamica.

Adi Kuini Speed herself lost her Serua-Navosa Open Constituency to the SDL's Pio Wong.

Adi Kuini Speed was the daughter of Ratu Aseri Qoro Latianara, whom she succeeded as Tui Noikoro Paramount Chief of Navosa, and of Lanieta Vuni; she herself was duly succeeded in these roles by her brother, Ratu Tomasi Latianara.

Adi Kuini was married three times, first to Military officer Savenaca Draunidalo, subsequently to Bavadra and finally to Clive Speed, a former director of the Business Council of Australia.

Kuini Speed had four children and eleven stepchildren.

Kuini Speed is buried in Korolevu, a two-hour drive from Sigatoka.