No matter where you travel, the inherent value of a destination can be calculated as the sum of place and people. The feeling you get when you leave, the memories you keep, go beyond the waves you surfed or the cocktails you drank. No matter how beautiful, a destination without people or personality can feel hollow or forgettable. At Namotu, we know that the people make the place, which is part of the magic of Fiji.
Many of the people smiling at you during your stay are the same people who have quite literally built or been part of the team as long as there’s been a resort. Behind the scenes and sometimes out of sight, there are key players you might not notice or even realise are here. Whether they’re keeping the water running, the air conditioners cool, cooking the food, serving the coffee or even maintaining the equipment we all use. These people are the glue that holds the entire operation together, and so we thought it time to recognise some of our longest-serving staff and spend a little time introducing you to some of our key players. Over the next few months, we’ll share a series of portraits and stories about our staff across all departments to help you get to know our people better.
So next time you visit, take notice of the faces you might sometimes miss and see who’s been here the longest. Because it might not be who you think…
Before we begin I’d like to thank Josh Bystrom for putting these photos and much of the information together. Keep an eye out for more on our social media. Additional images by Stu Gibson, Scott Bauer, Rob King & Chris Peel.
Ulai
First famous for his appearance in ‘The Endless Summer 2’ as a cheeky teen giving island visitors trouble. Ulai Niunatoga’s first role at Namotu was as a boatman, a role he held for nearly 20 years. Always a favourite with photographers for getting them in the spot during a swell and for offering some entertainment, Ulai was best known for surfing Restaurants and often unofficially guided guests in the water. After a conversation with Ben Wilson, Ulai became the island’s first Fijian surf guide, and from that point he never turned back. Ulai has an innate ability to know when his favourite break, Restaurants, is going to be on, and his hoot can be heard deep up the point as he’s flying down the line. He’s a guest favourite with his surf lessons and operates a small family-owned homestay and boat service in his village, Nabila. Ulai has 4 young children, and his dream is to one day see his kids carry the torch and work on Namotu as surf guides too.
Roko
Roko Tuibabasiga can only be described as a journeyman; he’s done just about every role the island has to offer, from landscaping, kitchen, admin, and marine to security. He’s also a member of the Namotu band. Roko is a formidable force in the Namotu gym and treats his body like a temple. His diet reflects his work ethic, and at 50 years old he doesn’t seem to age – the Island’s true Benjamin Button.
Ben Wood
Ben has been coming here since his days as a professional windsurfer in the 90s. One of our longest-serving lifeguards, Ben even managed to spend most of the COVID lockdown on the Island, so he’s seen Fiji and Namotu through many seasons and had his fair share of empty barrels, wild and weird times. Ben brings many years of experience running water sports operations worldwide, as well as in-depth knowledge of yachts and motorboats.
Tupou
Tupou or Po is a key player in the Admin and Bar team. She has a reputation for being tough and organised, and these days is in charge of boutique and bar stocktake, staff uniforms and more. But 20+ years ago, when she first started working on the Island, it was in the bar with Sova. Some of that entrepreneurial spirit lives on, and she runs a small side hustle. Tupou loves the challenges working in administration brings but can still mix a good cocktail at the bar and keep the staff in line.
When Tupou isn’t on Namotu, you’ll find her at home on the farm with her husband. Together they’ve worked hard to raise animals and work their land.
Bulou
Bulou was a young woman when she first started as a housekeeper on Namotu, and now she’s a proud grandmother, having worked in the spa, dining and housekeeping departments here for well over 20 years. The name Bulou means “princess” in Fijian, and we have a boat named after her because she once went into labour at work and nearly delivered the baby on board. She’ll leave you a lovely penned daily message on your pillow or give you a big smile in passing.
Vaseva
Va is a quiet achiever in the housekeeping department. She boasts one of the longest work records on the island, having been here over 26 years. She has an ability to light up a room with her big, kind smile. Just be sure to never underestimate her, as she is a savage on a ping pong table! She has a husband, a 23-year-old daughter and now a grandson.
Mere Dims
Mere Dims or Aunty has been a core member of the kitchen team since 1999. She’s cooked and trained under more celebrity chefs than an aspiring apprentice could dream of and produced better food too. Mere is currently unwell and recovering at home, but we are all hoping to see her back on the Island soon. Get well, Dims!
Ben Wilson
Benny first worked for Namotu as a chef in 1995, when he came over from Australia to set up the kitchen. Like many of our staff, he’s worked in many departments, having done time as a bartender, boatman, lifeguard, fisherman, Signature Week host and now General Manager.
Ben was initially drawn to Namotu for surfing and fishing, but discovered kitesurfing in his early years and, for a decade or more, built a career as a professional kitesurfer. He’s now found his way back on a more permanent basis, and his aim is to make Namotu the best watersports resort in the world. Each year, he strives to improve the Island by 10% year on year, with a focus on sustainability and maximum enjoyment for both staff and guests.
The froth is still alive with Ben, and he loves getting barrelled at his favourite wave, Cloudbreak, more than just about anyone!
Api
Api is a tough nut to crack. She will do just about anything to avoid having her picture taken (I dug this one up from a few years ago), but beneath her sometimes tough exterior, Api has a heart of gold and loves the Island like no other. Her role as Assistant Manager comes with a huge amount of responsibility and pressure from staff and directors alike, but there is no one more suited. From hiring and firing to ensuring the minor details of each guest’s stay are taken care of, Api is busy from dawn to dusk and beyond. She first started on Namotu in 1994, the year the resort opened.
Vijay
Vijay Prasad doesn’t actually work on the Island, but his transport company, Viable Tours, has had a hand in transporting just about everything you see on the Island. From guests and staff to food, drinks, shipments and building materials.
He started working on the Island during its initial construction in the early 90s, even before overnight guests were welcomed. After the change in ownership, when Scotty, Geoff, and others bought the lease, he helped build ‘the villa’ and many of the beach bures before he tried his hand at transportation. Vijay started with a single car, now operates a fleet of 20 vehicles, and holds the transport contract for both Namotu and Tavarua.
Vijay also owns a boat design/ manufacturing company, and many of the long boats and fishing vessels are his designs. He thinks the transformation of the island over the past 30 years has been nothing short of incredible, and he is very grateful that his businesses have helped create many memories for guests and staff alike.
Spending 20 years in a single career is no small undertaking; people move, families start, lives change, but the fact that these faces remain and are as happy as ever is testament to the positive culture Namotu has created. Be sure to give them a big hello when you come across them!
