12 Feb 2014

NZ's McCully encourages Nauru to reconsider journalists visas

11:51 am on 12 February 2014

The New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully, says he has encouraged the Nauru government to reconsider its dramatic escalation in journalists' visas.

Nauru's foreign minister, David Adeang was in Wellington yesterday for talks over the New Zealand aid package to Nauru's justice sector.

New Zealand has committed to maintain the aid but has demanded more transparency after last month's controversial removal of key personnel.

Also last month Nauru hiked journalists' visas from 200 dollars Australian to 8000 dollars - a move widely seen as an attempt to shut down international media criticism.

Mr McCully says he told Mr Adeang media scrutiny is vital if there's to be greater transparency.

"While it was not for me to try and propose domestic policies for Nauru, it seemed to me they might want to consider the role of the media and the impact of that visa policy on our, as I say, our overall objective of rebuilding confidence."

The New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully.