On Christmas Eve last year Shania Singh was in celebration mode.
After 16 years under the leadership of former military coup leader Frank Bainimarama, new Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officially took power.
For Ms Singh, a well-known Fijian social commentator and TV presenter, it signalled a fresh beginning.
“We thought fresh perspective is coming in, change is coming in,” she told the ABC.
Ms Singh herself was influential in Mr Rabuka’s election win, throwing her support behind the 75-year-old and galvanising her substantial social media following to back change for Fiji.
But now, one year on, she’s not so sure.
And it was a small thing — in the greater scheme of political machinations — that triggered her disappointment: a call by the country’s agriculture minister encouraging landowners to shoot feral dogs on site.
“I was shocked,” she said.
“I did not expect that, you would think as [we’re] progressing and modernising, but I think it shows a lack of compassion.
“I showed my support for this government. I said, let them settle in. Now we’re hitting the one-year mark, and something like that comes out.
“I do feel overall that this government is more compassionate to the people. But along the way, they are making decisions we’re not really sure about.”
Mr Rabuka acknowledged Ms Singh’s concerns and noted that the agriculture minister’s comments were a “kneejerk reaction” to the problem.
He said animal rights organisations were working with the ministry to manage stray dog populations through humane methods like capturing, sterilising and releasing them.
One year on
Mr Bainimarama’s 16-year reign over Fiji was shrouded in controversy and contradiction.
Lauded overseas for his push for stronger action on climate change, Mr Bainimarama was also influential in modernising Fiji’s economy and supporting its now world-renowned tourism industry.
But domestically, civil liberties in Fiji were heavily restricted and he faced continued accusations of corruption and government-backed impropriety.
Government organisations and even businesses were controlled with an iron fist, and representatives of the media were controlled, imprisoned, and in some cases, encountered violence.
When Mr Rabuka took power many celebrated, hoping it signified a new dawn for the country.
So, does the new prime minister himself think Fiji has changed for the better?
“We’re moving away from an elected dictatorship to one of open, free, democratically-elected government,” he told the ABC.
“It’s been challenging. I have a military background. I’m used to that kind of leadership.
“So you have to make sure that what you are going to decide on, and the actions you are going to take, are keeping with the expectations of the people that voted you in.”
Mr Rabuka is no stranger to controversy.
Being a former coup leader, some questioned whether the 75-year-old had learned from the mistakes of his past.
These questions were amplified just months after his election when police took Mr Bainimarama into custody over accusations of abuse of office.
Some feared a return to political instability — and even military intervention.
Mr Bainimarama’s supporters, who remain a significant chunk of Fiji’s population, labelled it a political witch hunt.
In October, Mr Bainimarama was found not guilty.
“The biggest challenge [of the past 12 months] has been the civil service,” Mr Rabuka said.
“I must accept that some of them have their loyalties totally anchored with the previous leadership.”
Walking the tightrope
Domestically, Mr Rabuka has been navigating a stuttering economy, large debt levels and what he calls a “tightrope walk” coalition.
Mr Rabuka only won power by one vote from Mr Bainimarama after building an unusual coalition, meaning many decisions have been subject to the approval of his partners.
For coalition partner and Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, the three leaders had an “absolutely beautiful” partnership and valued democracy.
“The chemistry between the three leaders is very good. I have no issues with any of my colleagues in the caucus,” he said.
“While we may have issues, or differences in policy like the Gaza vote, the coalition government understands it can only work if we focus on [working together].”
Mr Prasad conceded that the coalition could improve the way it communicates.
“That’s an issue everywhere in every government, different agendas, different policies, sometimes it’s also about keeping your own turf,” he said.
Fiji ‘everywhere’
Despite his critics, Mr Rabuka has enjoyed many wins over the past 12 months.
He was integral in reuniting the Pacific Islands Forum and has reaffirmed Fiji’s relations with Australia.
He also sees himself as the grandfather and promoter of Pacific unity.
“We do not see China as an enemy,” he said.
“But we do not want our friendship with China to make Australia feel that we are enemies of Australia, or the US.
“We want to see [the region] as a zone of peace, an ocean of peace.”
In light of this, a review of Fiji’s defence and national security will begin early next year, running public consultations about the future of the armed forces.
Another sector that has enjoyed the new leadership is the tourism sector.
The country has seen 920,000 visitors this year, bringing in about $3 billion.
“2023 will be the strongest year in our history,” Tourism Fiji chief executive Brent Hill said.
“I love it when people say it feels like you see Fiji everywhere, and it feels like that at the moment.”
Mr Hill said although the cost of living, fuel costs and shipping were still having a major impact, he said the new regime and the sector “has the same goals”.
“The number one thing business wants is for government to clear the way to get things done quickly, and we’ve definitely seen that,” he said.
“We have a government that can make things happen, and I’m very appreciative of that, but we always want more.”
For Ms Singh, the jury is still out.
“Taking over a government that has been under someone else’s control for 16 years is a big task,” she said.
“I think the government is doing a lot of good things that people just don’t know about. Things are just going to take time.”