New Zealand's John Key in Fiji for an historic visit

Transcript

The New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has arrived in Fiji for a landmark visit, ending a decade of sometimes fractious relations between the two countries.

RNZ International's Sally Round is travelling with Mr Key and told Don Wiseman what sort of welcome the New Zealand leader got.

SALLY ROUND: It was a very warm welcome, the Fiji Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, on the tarmac, personally welcomed Mr Key with a line-up of his Ministers.  It was a 100 strong guard of honour of the Republic of Fiji Military forces and Mr Key gave an inspection of them.  It was a tradition sevusevu or kava ceremony later, and presentation of a whale tooth because of Mr Key being an honoured guest , and on the motorcade into the ceremony, there was a big huge poster with the face of John Key welcoming him to Fiji, probably a standard programme for a top level visit such as this but it's heavily symbolic given it was seven years ago that the previous NZ High commissioner here, Michael Green, left most unceremoniously after being declared persona non grata in the wake deteriorating relations after Mr Bainimarama's 2006 coup but relations have warmed significantly in the last two years, fully diplomatic links restored after the 2014 elections, and following New Zealand's significant aid effort after cyclone Winston,  this sort of marks the end of acrimony of the last 10 years.

DON WISEMAN: This is a very short visit, what's on the agenda?

SR:  Yes, just an overnight stay, very fleeting, following these official welcome ceremonies, there's a banquet hosted by Mr Bainimarama at the newly restored Grand Pacific Hotel, speeches from the two leaders, and then on Friday morning, they get down to business, they meet for 30 minutes for official talks, Mr Key will first though call on the Head of State.  Mr Key after his meeting with Mr Bainimarama will also make a brief call from the leader of the opposition, Ro Teimumu Kepa, who is likely to bring up the suspension of at least one MP and the issues they are having in the newly established parliament.

DW:  The two leaders get together on Friday, what are they going to talk about?  

SR:  Well there's a range of issues on the agenda, the Pacer-plus trade deal is due to be completed in the coming months, and this will be one of the issues, there are some sticking points I understand on the Fiji side, there will be talks about investment, Fiji is keen to increase investment here, climate change issues, big topic for Frank Bainimarama, and of course recovery after cyclone Winston, and New Zealand has been very strong in giving aid to Fiji, after the cyclone and Mr Key will be looking at some of the work the New Zealand defense force has been doing, in terms of the relief effort.  Mr Key said he will also be bring up the issue of Fiji blacklisting some New Zealand journalists.