Tavua is governed by a 9-member Town Council, elected for a three-year term, who elect a Mayor from among themselves for a one-year term, renewable indefinitely. At the most recent municipal election, held on 22 October 2005, all 9 seats were won by the Tavua Ratepayers, Landowners, and Tenants Association. The new council reelected Chandra Singh, Mayor since 2001, for another term.
Olympic javelin thrower Leslie Copeland was born here
