An Auckland-based Fiji pro-democracy group says New Zealand can't afford to wait until a Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting next month to get talks underway to resolve a diplomatic stoush with Suva.
The spokesperson for Auckland-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, Nik Naidu, says efforts should be made to get dialogue going now, instead of waiting until the meeting at the end of January.
Mr Naidu says Fiji might not turn up to the Forum, if talks don't continue in the meantime.
"It is important that talks continue between Fiji and New Zealand at that level because there is so much at stake in terms of trade in terms of travel, in terms of political relationships and the effect on the region as a whole."
Nik Naidu says people from Fiji are concerned about the potential effects the dispute could have on them and their family members.
