List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to Fiji
Encyclopedia
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to Fiji is New Zealand
's foremost diplomatic representative
in the Republic of the Fiji Islands
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
in Fiji.
The High Commission is located in Suva
, Fiji's capital city. New Zealand first maintained a resident Head of Mission
in Fiji since 1970. The Ambassador to Fiji is concurrently accredited
to Nauru
and Tuvalu
.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Fiji are at government
al level, rather than between Heads of State
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
s. Between 1987 and 1997, this was not the case; after the Coups of 1987
, Fiji was expelled from the Commonwealth, but rejoined after the promulgation of a new constitution
in 1997. Hence, from 1987 until 1997, New Zealand was represented in Fiji by an ambassador.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's foremost diplomatic representative
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
in the Republic of the Fiji Islands
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
Diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...
in Fiji.
The High Commission is located in Suva
Suva
Suva features a tropical rainforest climate under the Koppen climate classification. The city sees a copious amount of precipitation during the course of the year. Suva averages 3,000 mm of precipitation annually with its driest month, July averaging 125 mm of rain per year. In fact,...
, Fiji's capital city. New Zealand first maintained a resident Head of Mission
Head of Mission
In diplomatic usage, Head of Mission or Chief of Mission from the French "Chef de Mission Diplomatique" is the generic term used to refer to the head of a diplomatic representation, such as an Ambassador, High Commissioner, Nuncio, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Representative, and sometimes to a...
in Fiji since 1970. The Ambassador to Fiji is concurrently accredited
Dual accreditation
Dual accreditation is the practice in diplomacy of a country granting two separate responsibilities to a single diplomat. One prominent form of dual accreditation is for a diplomat to serve as the ambassador to two countries concurrently...
to Nauru
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
and Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Fiji are at government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
al level, rather than between Heads of State
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
s. Between 1987 and 1997, this was not the case; after the Coups of 1987
Fiji coups of 1987
The Fiji coups of 1987 resulted in the overthrow of the elected government of Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra, the deposition of Elizabeth II as Queen of Fiji, and in the declaration of a republic...
, Fiji was expelled from the Commonwealth, but rejoined after the promulgation of a new constitution
Constitution of Fiji
The 1997 Constitution of Fiji was the supreme law of Fiji from its adoption in 1997 until 2009 when President Josefa Iloilo purported to abrogate it. It was also suspended for a period following the 2000 coup d'état led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama....
in 1997. Hence, from 1987 until 1997, New Zealand was represented in Fiji by an ambassador.
High Commissioners to Fiji
- Sir John Grace (1970–1973)
- Graham Ansell (1973–1977)
- David McDowell (1977–1980)
- Michael Powles (1980–1982)
- Lindsay Watt (1982–1985)
- Rod Gates (1985–1987)
Ambassadors to Fiji
- Rod Gates (1987–1988)
- Brian Absolum (1988–1991)
- Don MacKayDon MackayDonald Mackay is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.-As player:He was a goalkeeper and played for Forfar Athletic and made 104 appearances. He was then signed for Dundee United by Jerry Kerr, for whom he made 170 appearances...
(1991–1995) - Suzanne Blumhardt (1995–1997)
High Commissioners to Fiji
- Suzanne Blumhardt (1997–1998)
- Tia BarrettTia BarrettTe Rongotoa "Tia" Barrett was a New Zealand diplomat of indigenous Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato extraction from the Tainui iwi. He was director of the Māori Policy Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ....
(1998–2001) - Adrian Simcock (2001–2004)
- Michael GreenMichael Green (diplomat)Michael Green is a New Zealand diplomat, who in 2007 was expelled as New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji by the country's interim government....
(2004–2007) [Expelled] - Caroline McDonald (2007–2008) [Expelled]
- Phillip Taula (current)