6 Nov 2009

NZ diplomat expelled from Fiji to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister

11:21 am on 6 November 2009

New Zealand's top diplomat in Fiji will meet with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully, this afternoon in Auckland.

Todd Cleaver and his family returned to Auckland late last night.

He was expelled by Fiji's interim regime over claims Wellington has interfered with the functioning of Fiji's judiciary.

The interim Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, says refusals to grant Fiji judges visas to visit New Zealand and Australia were undermining the judiciary.

Mr Cleaver's expulsion, and that of the Australian high commissioner, James Batley, follow those last year of New Zealand's acting high commissioner and trade commissioner to Fiji.