7 Apr 2017

NZ naval deployment to Fiji welcomed

From , 3:04 pm on 7 April 2017

A New Zealand naval ship will be deployed to Fiji to help tackle illegal fishing in the region.

New Zealand's Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee met his Fijian counterpart, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, at a South Pacific defence ministers' meeting in Auckland on Thursday  to discuss issues including maritime surveillance.

He said an inshore patrol vessel will be deployed to Fiji for six months in May to combat the widespread problem.

According to Mr Brownlee, the increase in illegal fishing vessels from Vietnam, also known as "blue boats", required counter-action.

Massey University defence lecturer, Anna Powles, says the decision is a welcome surprise.

Military personnel offload aid supplies in Fiji.

Military personnel offload aid supplies in Fiji after Cyclone Winston. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force