New Zealand is rejecting allegations that it interfered in Vanuatu's internal affairs by funding an investigation which led to opposition leader, Barak Sope, being jailed for forgery.
The high commissioner, Bryan Smythe, says assistance was given because of the serious nature of the charges.
Mr Sope was found guilty and sent to jail last week for forging government guarantees worth more than 20 million U.S. dollars while he was prime minister.
Mr Smythe says political pressure is behind the allegations.
"This has actually been public for a long time but it has been highlighted now, I think, for political reasons. There is pressure on the president to pardon Mr Sope and this has been brought out as a reason for pardoning him. I don't see it as any reason at all because the courts made their own decision. All we did was make it possible for the Vanuatu government to take the matter to court."
Supporters of the opposition leader on the island of Ifira are demanding that the president pardon and free Mr Sope next week in time for Independence Day.
They've been threatening to take action if he's not freed.
