New Zealand Prime Minister John Key won’t be meeting Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama when travels to the country later this week for his first visit in eight years.
Bainimarama arrives on Friday to campaign local Fijians ahead of the Fijian election.
New Zealand media reports this is Bainimarama’s first trip since the New Zealand government lifted travel sanctions in March blocking members of the Fijian government from visiting.
Asked about the visit, Key said he was expecting Bainimarama to come but had no plans to see him.
He told reporters in Auckland that he understands Bainimarama will be in New Zealand for a couple of days before going to Australia.
Key added they are comfortable with him coming.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says Bainimarama’s visit isn’t an official one and there will be no official meetings or engagement with the New Zealand government.
Fiji’s election will be held on September 17, just three days before New Zealanders head to the polls.
