Nadi Town was established in 1947 when the Government of Fiji established its own "Government Station" on the higher grounds of Nadi. At one stage there was talk of moving the town centre to Martintar because of the existing center being so prone to flooding but it was all too little too late as Nadi had already put roots down in the original site.

Nadi International Airport has a colourful and fascinating history. The original airstrips were built by New Zealand in 1939. They were paid for by the British colonial authorities and were used by the United States Army Air Forces when World War 11 began in 1941. The American forces were known as USAAF Nadi.

Early in the war, the Americans flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Nadi against Japanese targets in the Philippines and Solomon Islands. Later in 1943, the 42d Bombardment Group flew B-25 Mitchells from Nadi.

Following the end of the war, control of Nadi Airport was handed over to New Zealand on 20 December 1946, and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand began operations from Nadi in 1947. At independence in 1970, the Fijian government began participating in the organisation of Nadi Airport, and full control was handed over in 1979.