16 Apr 2015

NZ police post returns to Fiji

3:22 pm on 16 April 2015

The New Zealand Police Pacific liaison has returned to Fiji after heightened tension in 2009 forced the post to be moved to Samoa.

The incumbent officer, Detective Inspector Don Allan, who has been in Suva since late March, says Fiji's position as a hub in the Pacific means it makes sense to be based there.

He says it was always the intention to return to Fiji once the country had normalised.

Mr Allan says he would take a measured approach to re-engaging with Fiji, as there had been significant changes over the past seven years.

Among recent changes in Fiji, where democratic elections were held last year, was the appointment of a new Police Commissioner, South African Ben Groenewald.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs