{
  "id": 2865636,
  "title": "Fijian lawmakers repeal Bainimarama-era surfing law despite opposition criticism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/fijian-lawmakers-repeal-bainimarama-era-surfing-law-despite",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T20:49:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Pacific",
    "slug": "rnz-pacific",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/1097160/fijian-lawmakers-repeal-bainimarama-era-surfing-law-despite-opposition-criticism"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Fijian lawmakers have repealed the 2010 Regulation of Surfing Areas Act, despite opposition criticism that the replacement legislation is flawed. The Commercial Use of Marine Areas (CUMA) Bill 2025 received 27 votes in favor at the Fijian parliament, with 21 MPs not voting and seven abstaining. The new legislation grants customary owners greater rights over the commercial use of marine areas, aiming to provide certainty for investors and fairness for customary owners. Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, the Tourism Minister, argued that the new law does not undermine investor confidence, as it ensures sustainable commercial partnerships rather than undermining the tourism business.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}