28 Nov 2014

NZ's High Commissioner to Fiji reinstated after 7 years

11:12 am on 28 November 2014

New Zealand's Foreign Minister has announced the reinstatement of New Zealand's High Commissioner to Fiji.

Murray McCully says New Zealand has had an acting High Commissioner since 2007 and the new appointment is an important step in re-building the country's relationship with Fiji.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully and his Fiji counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully and his Fiji counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. Photo: Fiji Ministry of Information

The new High Commissioner will be diplomat Mark Ramsden, who has been the Acting High Commissioner in Suva since September 2013.

Mr McCully says the reinstatement of a high commissioner reflects the further normalisation of New Zealand's relationship with Fiji and will mean better engagement on economic, trade and regional issues.

He says Mr Ramsden has extensive experience in the Pacific and has previously served as High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, as well as being posted to Vanuatu.

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