Tevita Vakalalabure

Ratu Tevita Vakalalabure (1927 - 6 May 2005) was a Fijian chief and politician.

Ratu Vakalalabure held the chiefly title of Vunivalu of Natewa, one of the three senior titles in Cakaudrove Province. He served as a Senator in the 1990s, becoming President of the Senate before winning the Cakaudrove West Fijian Communal Constituency in the House of Representatives in a byelection in 1996. He was also a member of the Great Council of Chiefs.

Vakalalabure was the father of eight children, including Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, who became Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2001, and subsequently served a prison sentence for his involvement in the coup d'état that deposed the elected government in 2000.

The Fijian government was represented at the funeral by several ministers. Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola delivered a eulogy describing him as "a man of his words" who believed in everything he did.

Isoa Bativudi, the traditional kingmaker of Natewa, told the Fiji Sun on 5 March 2006 that Vakalalabure's successor as Vunivalu would be installed on 6 October. He was identified as Ratu Viliame Gasagasa. Unfortunately the chosen successor, Ratu Viliame Gasagasa, from the Rakuita family died before the installation. The leading contenders for the title are currently Ratu Amenatave Rabelo and University of the South Pacific Academic, Dr Ropate R Qalo. Both are senior members of the Rakuita Family.