Travel Advisory To FIJI Lowered

Revised on 21 December 2006

There is high risk to your security in Suva and we recommend against non-essential travel to Suva at this time.

There is some risk to your security in the rest of Fiji and we advise caution.

On 5 December the Commander of the Fiji Military forces announced that he had taken over executive authority and declared himself the President of the Republic of the Fiji Islands. The following day the Commander appointed a caretaker Prime Minister and declared a state of emergency.

The Military has effective control of Suva and is exerting and extending its control of government departments and statutory authorities. A number of military checkpoints are in place in Suva, Nadi, and Lautoka. While traffic is generally moving freely, the checkpoints are manned by armed soldiers.

Currently, Suva is calm but a rapid deterioration to the situation cannot be ruled out. New Zealand citizens in Suva with concerns for their safety should consider departing.

While New Zealanders in Fiji are unlikely to be targeted in the event of the situation deteriorating you should be security conscious at all times, avoiding demonstrations, large gatherings and areas of military activity. Airports remain open and flights are operating normally, but delays could occur if the situation deteriorates.

New Zealand High Commission dependants were moved to New Zealand on 11 December and are yet to return to Fiji.

We recommend New Zealanders in Fiji or planning to visit monitor the media and this website, ensure you have appropriate insurance cover and that your travel documents are easily accessible.

This advice will be kept under review. A new deterioration of the situation could result in a warning to avoid all travel to Fiji.

See our regional advice for the Pacific.

New Zealanders travelling or resident in Fiji are encouraged to record/update their details online at www.safetravel.govt.nz

New Zealand High Commission, Fiji

Contact details are:

Street address: Reserve Bank of Fiji Building, Pratt St, Suva, Fiji Postal address: PO Box 1378, Suva, Fiji Telephone: +679 331 1422 Fax: +679 330 0842 Email: nzhc@connect.com.fj Office hours: Mon – Fri 0830 – 1630 hrs

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