New Zealand's top diplomat for Fiji says fellow diplomats there were shocked and outraged by his expulsion and rallied to support him as he was forced to leave.
Todd Cleaver, head of the mission in Suva, arrived back in New Zealand with his wife and children on Thursday night and spoke publicly for the first time on Friday.
Mr Cleaver says fellow diplomats in Fiji were dismayed by the events and went to great lengths to show their support, with a large convoy of diplomatic cars following him out of the capital.
He says the expulsion has also been tough and distressing for his wife and two young boys.
Mr Cleaver was expelled by Fiji's interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama over claims Wellington has interfered with the functioning of Fiji's judiciary.
Commodore Bainimarama says refusals to grant Fiji judges visas to visit New Zealand and Australia were undermining the judiciary.
Mr Cleaver says it was made quite clear to him that he was expelled because of New Zealand's foreign affairs policies towards Fiji.
Mr Cleaver's expulsion, and that of Australian high commissioner James Batley, follow those last year of New Zealand's acting high commissioner and trade commissioner to Fiji.
Consular services suspended
New Zealand says all its consular services in Fiji, except for emergency support, have been suspended.
No visas are being issued to people who need to travel to New Zealand while its High Commission in Suva remains closed following Mr Cleaver's expulsion.
The Government says it is stunned that Fiji's interim government is making it difficult for New Zealand to operate a visa service for Fiji's people.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says ordinary people in Fiji are the ones missing out, as the service is for their benefit.
Mr McCully says a reassessment is under way to see what can be achieved under new diplomatic circumstances.
The Government hopes to re-open the High Commission next week.
