A Dunedin businessman has been appointed to head the Fijian Government's first consulate in New Zealand's South Island.
The Otago Daily Times reports that Fiji's South Island consulate will operate from Richard Hatherly's Maori Hill home where the commissioning ceremony was held on Saturday.
The acting head of mission at the Fiji High Commission in Wellington Mere Tora was in Dunedin to attend the ceremony.
Mr Hatherly, who has property interests in Fiji, has been travelling back and forth to the country for more than 30 years on business and philanthropic work.
He has been tasked with helping Fijian university students and assisting the Fijian community prepare for Fiji's 2014 elections.
Fiji Live reported about 30 people attended the ceremony, including Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Trade Commissioner for the Pacific, Michael Greenslade.
