Recent relations Fiji–New Zealand relations

high commission of fiji in wellington

the following month, fiji s finance minister mahendra chaudhry accused new zealand of being excessive in hostility bainimara s government, , hinted @ shift in fiji s foreign policy towards asia: “fiji has friends in china, has friends in korea, has friends in […] other asian countries. we’re no longer relying on australia , new zealand. australia, new zealand, had condemned december 2006 coup, whereas china contrast had advised international community show understanding towards situation in fiji.

later year, helen clark stated bainimarama treated leper if attended pacific islands forum meeting in tonga in october. pacific island nation members reacted distancing new zealand s stance, , bainimarama did attend. clark avoided bainimarama @ meeting.

in november 2007, bilateral relations worsened further when fiji-born new zealand businessman, ballu khan, arrested in fiji, accused of conspiring assassinate bainimarama , several other members of fiji s government, , allegedly subjected severe beating police, resulted in hospitalisation. new zealand s high commission in suva denied access khan. fiji s police commissioner, esala teleni, commented: there efforts being made create unfavourable environment, may provide excuses lurking nations interfere in affairs of fiji – transparent reference new zealand. new zealand foreign affairs minister winston peters reacted claim dismissing unsubstantiated nonsense . helen clark likewise denied new zealand had played part in plot assassinate bainimarama: [f]rom new zealand s point of view, have no part in financing or supporting activities of such kind in fiji. bainimarama published statement confirming did not believe australian , new zealand governments had been involved in plot.

in december 2007, part of sanctions, new zealand controversially banned forty-seven fiji children, aged 10 13, entering new zealand participate in international scouting event. new zealand s highly strained bilateral relations fiji attracted international comment when led 2 countries dispute on football. new zealand due host 2010 world cup qualifying match between fiji , new zealand, denied entry fiji team s main goalkeeper, simione tamanisau, due latter s fiancée s father being member of fijian military.

in june 2008, bainimarama stated new zealand , australia not genuinely trying move fiji forward ; described pressure , demands insincere, hypocritical, unconstructive , obstructionist . stated new zealand , australia condescending, hold neo-colonialist views , fail recognise fiji sovereign state needs treated dignity , respect . bainimarama added australia , new zealand bent on sabotaging efforts of interim government in building strong , accountable institutions fiji.

clark has said new zealand ease sanctions in fiji once progress towards democracy becomes apparent. ( need see roadmap. need see benchmarks met. ) bainimarama has argued such progress apparent. ( else want? people come , tell me have show concrete steps – further steps? ) clark has said new zealand fund fiji s election, when takes place.

in july 2008, winston peters met bainimarama first time since coup, in fiji. commodore raised issue of new zealand s sanctions, , peters reaffirmed sanctions remain until new zealand government saw clear signs of election being prepared. later month, clark accused bainimarama of being guilty of rather serious crimes, such treason . in september, added there no normalisation of new zealand-fiji relations until elected government in power.

on 15 december 2008 new zealand government under leadership of john key defied ultimatum bainimarama threatening expel new zealand s acting high commissioner unless visa granted son, massey university student son of rupeni nacewa, secretary in office of fiji s president in suva. on same day, tvnz journalist detained @ nadi international airport , taken fiji detention centre overnight before deported new zealand on morning of 16th. reporter allowed keep cellphone refused drinking water. prime minister john key says treatment of journalist unacceptable . also, ministry of foreign affairs , trade officials went detention centre visit journalist denied entry, john key stated that: totally unacceptable , taking matter fijian authorities, .

on 23 december 2008 fiji followed through on threat expel new zealand s high commissioner island nation, expulsion came day after interim prime minister of fiji announced not expel new zealand s top diplomat because wanted improve relationship new zealand. in retaliation expulsion, new zealand declared fiji s high commissioner in wellington persona non-grata, john key stating there retaliatory action if commissioner expelled. reciprocal diplomatic expulsions (initiated fiji) occurred once again in november 2009.

in january 2010, new zealand foreign minister murray mccully met fiji foreign minister ratu inoke kubuabla in nadi, , indicated 2 countries wished improve relations. new zealand government issued press release stating 2 governments agreed additional counsellor position being established fiji in wellington, , new zealand in suva, approval in principle deputy head of mission appointments in each capital follow . new zealand specified dialogue did not signal change in wellington s strong opposition fiji s military-led administration nor sanctions eased result .

on 10 june 2011, royal tongan navy vessels moved occupy disputed minerva reef between fiji , tonga, unsigned press statement on website of fiji government denounced web of deceit [and] collusion involving australia , new zealand. statement said tongans seen presence @ minerva reef manipulated through offerings of gifts , aid try , turn ante , adding: far fiji concerned there no mara or tonga/fiji situation. rudd , mccully spreading wings save face situation , in reference australian , new zealand foreign affairs ministers kevin rudd , murray mccully. accused mccully , rudd of being driven [a] neo-colonial , personal agenda , , denounced concerted effort australian government in form of kevin rudd/stephen smith followed mccully on coattails subvert path towards holding of democratic elections in fiji . stuff.co.nz described statement unprecedented attack on new zealand, remarking: statement on website out of kilter previous fiji government statements raises questions on in control in suva.