The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, David Carter, has been told that Fiji will name its High Commissioner to Wellington soon.

The news was relayed to Mr Carter and his delegation in Suva by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

Mr Carter and his parliamentary delegation are on a visit to Fiji’s Parliament to see the progress of the parliamentary structures after last year’s general election.

“We have recently advertised the position of Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand and we are expecting to make an appointment soon following the endorsement of accreditation by the government of New Zealand,” Ratu Inoke told Mr Carter and delegation when they made a courtesy visit to his ofice.

He said the 2014 General Election was a significant milestone in Fiji’s electoral history because it used – for the first time – the open list system of proportional representation.

Ratu Inoke expressed Fiji’s appreciation on NZ’s commitment to support the elections process in the lead up to 17 September, including the post-election period.

“We wish to express Fiji’s appreciation to a total of NZ$1.9million worth of assistance was provided by the NZ Government in terms of technical advice, procurement of election supplies, and the hosting of the visit by three members of the Fiji Electoral Commission to Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington,” Ratu Inoke said.

Fiji, he said, was grateful for New Zealand’s continued support this year with the funding of $392,000.00 towards technical assistance in the Fiji Election Office as well as the contribution of $1.17 million to the UNDP Parliament Strengthening Project, which is in two phases over the next three years.

He said that Fiji welcomed the re-engagement and strengthening of its bilateral relationship with NZ.

Fiji, he said, was pleased to note the shift in focus in NZ’s development assistance from humanitarian to economic development implemented through programmes in agriculture, skills/training and institutional support and linkages.

Ratu Inoke said Fiji valued its bilateral relationship with NZ.

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