A New Zealand opposition MP says the country must help Fiji to avoid falling back into a coup mentality in the future.
Defence minister, Gerry Brownlee, is visiting Fiji this week in a bid to rebuild defence co-operation and engagement between the two countries.
Following Fiji's elections in September, New Zealand lifted its last sanctions on Fiji which until March included a travel ban on the Fiji military for its role in ousting the elected government in 2006.
The Labour Party's defence spokesperson, Phil Goff, says a coup mentality has blighted Fijian politics for several decades.
"I don't think the coup has been forgotten but I think the mindset needs to be - let's build on what has been achieved in the election, let's look forward and not just backwards."
The Labour Party's defence spokesperson, Phil Goff.
Phil Goff at the select committee considering new anti-terrorism legislation. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
