The New Zealand media is now reporting that the interim government is expected to expel the Acting NZ High Commissioner to Fiji Caroline McDonald later today.
TV3, TVNZ and Radio New Zealand are saying that Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama is expected to take the step after the refusal of the visa applications of the son of the President's Secretary Rupeni Nacewa, the daughter of the Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor Lepani Waqatakirewa and Fiji Under 20 soccer player Jone Nailogi as his father is in the military.
The NZ government is expected to write to Fiji this morning stressing that they will not relax their travel sanctions.
This report from Radio NZ:
In an exclusive interview with Fijivillage yesterday, Commodore Bainimarama stressed that NZ and Australia should review its travel sanction policy and he confirmed that he made this clear to the NZ and Australian Foreign Ministers in his meeting with the Forum Ministerial Contact Group last week.
Bainimarama said NZ and Australia need to change their attitude now.
Bainimarama is expected to make further comments later.
Interim Defense Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau said he is unaware of any such developments in relation to the reported planned expulsion of McDonald.
In another development, TVNZ has confirmed that One News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver was detained at the Nadi International Airport last night as she flew in to cover developments in relation to the Acting NZ High Commissioner.
Dreaver was detained while going through immigration and taken to a detention centre overnight after which she will be put on the first flight back to New Zealand later this morning.
Just a few minutes ago, Director of Immigration Commander Viliame Naupoto confirmed that Dreaver is now on her way to NZ.
He also said that Dreaver was on the immigration watch list.
Stay with us we will have more later this morning.
