New Zealand PM visits Fiji for first time in a decade to improve bilateral ties

A New Zealand leader has visited Fiji for the first time since a military coup there a decade ago, although it is clear that political tensions remain.

Prime Minister John Key’s two-day visit, which ended on Friday, was an attempt to improve relations after Fiji held democratic elections in 2014. Since then, New Zealand has lifted economic sanctions directed against the South Pacific nation.

But while Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said during his welcome speech that the relationship was being “reinvigorated and redefined” after a period of estrangement, he also used the opportunity to recount a number of historic grievances it has with New Zealand.

And Bainimarama rejected Key’s requests for him to re-engage with neighbouring nations on the Pacific Islands Forum and to lift a longstanding travel ban on some New Zealand journalists.

The visit came at an awkward time for Fiji. The government was criticised by human rights groups last week when it banned an opposition lawmaker from parliament for two years for comments she made about a government minister. Bainimarama defended the move, saying Tupou Draunidalo’s comments were racially charged and threatened the stability of Fiji.