Kava in the Blood: A Personal & Political Memoir from the Heart of Fiji
Peter Thomson, born in Suva, Fiji in 1948 is a Fiji diplomat and is currently Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Peter is a fifth generation Fijian of Scottish descent. He began his career as a Fiji civil servant in 1972, working in rural development as District Officer in Navua, Macuata and Taveuni. From 1978 to 1985 he served in Tokyo and Sydney for Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before returning to Suva in 1986 as Permanent Secretary of Information. In 1987 he was appointed as Permanent Secretary to Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau. During Peter's time at Government House between the two coups d'etat of 1987, the Governor-General was the sole executive authority of Fiji. Peter Thomson is a passionate advocate for a multi-racial, multicultural Fiji. He believes that race-based constitutions and political parties have been very divisive for the nation and is committed to working towards a future in which all citizens enjoy equal rights.