The New Zealand Government says it is still considering yesterday's decision by the Fiji High Court which declared that the military regime is a legal government.
The acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates said they found that President Ratu Josefa Iloilo's actions when the Qarase Government was ousted were lawful and valid.
The office for the acting Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Helen Clark, says the Government is a bit surprised by the court ruling given that, in an earlier similar case it had a ruled the George Speight coup of 2000 was illegal.
In a statement the office says the Government is seeking advice on the decision but legal commentators have said that New Zealand and other countries imposing sanctions on Fiji are now obliged to recognise the Bainimarama regime.
