Our Story
Nanuya Island Resort – for Val and Ivan Parker, it’s more than a feeling : it’s a commitment!
Val and Ivan Parker (matriarch and patriarch) of Queensland’s Parker family have a deep-rooted love for Fiji, its people and cultural heritage.
Since 2002, they have passionately committed themselves to assisting in ‘bettering’ the lives of the local people while promoting the wonders of Fiji and particularly the Yasawa Islands to the world.
Thru the Variety Club of Queensland, The Parker’s first commitment to the Yasawa Island’s community was helping to rebuild the Church in Kese Village, which had been destroyed by a cyclone some years prior, followed by their purchase of a ‘long boat’ to be used as a water taxi to get children from outlying villages to Nacula Primary School.
From these beginnings, they become even more focused on assisting the more remote villages and people in varying ways. They met a young man, Tasi, who had completed all the scholling available in the Islands (year 7). The Parker’s sponsored Tasi’s high school education on the mainland and enabled him to complete his studies and ultimately become a carpenter.
Through 2003 to 2006, they maintained their focus by assisting in additional education expenses, supply of fishing gear as well as farm equipment and even animals to several of the surrounding villages.
Donna, one of the Parker daughters, was married in the newly completed Kese Church and the family all stayed at Nanuya Island Resort (a sign of things to come).
Special focus was applied to Tasi’s own village – Teci where Val recognised a special need for the young children! She returned to Australia with a tracing of each and every student’s feet, resulting in a pair of school shoes for every child PLUS the teacher!
During 2010/2011, the Parkers committed to building a house for Tasi’s ailing parents as well as replacing the school roof, an old generator and bathroom facilities for the village – their ‘to do’ list was growing!
A small general store was established in Teci Village in 2012 and plans for a break wall were undertaken. One week after departing the Yasawa’s and Teci took a beating.
During a family chartered yacht cruise through the Yasawa Islands, Val and Ivan realised that their life now was in the islands and the Nanuya area, in particular. This was where they would ‘retire’…..and their Nanuya Island Resort vision was commenced.
The Parker family took over the Nanuya Island Resort in late 2014 and immediately began repairing the cyclone damage and improving the ground and facilities (which continue to this day).
All existing villas were upgraded and repaired with improved plumbing and drainage installed. Work on the beach front area was commenced in 2015 and 4 Superior Villas built close to the waters edge. The Nanuya LaiLai Day Spa was also opened.
In both 2015 and 2016, cyclones again caused significant damage to the beachfront through erosion and the existing seawall was improved and extended.
New staff facilities (unlike anything else in the area) were constructed in 2017 along with a new commercial laundry facility.
The expansion of the major plantation and food garden became a labour of love for Ivan and today his efforts have borne fruit (excuse the pun) and vegetables to supply almost all of the resort’s requirements other than that sourced through their association with the local villages and people.
The work continues into 2018, ensuring both the guests and people who live near Nanuya Island Resort, are given the best of everything.
Nanuya Island Resort has never been ‘just another resort’. A commitment to both guest and resident is what makes it special and when you visit Nanuya Island Resort, you will be made to feel special.
…..and say hi to Val and Ivan as you wander the grounds of the resort and marvel at their commitment.
