Fijian Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama will visit New Zealand this weekend, according to information obtained by us in Fiji.
He will arrive in Auckland on August 8 and return to his home country on August 11.
This would be his private visit funded by his political Party ‘Fiji First’ and hence no meetings have been planned with Prime Minister John Key, other ministers or Government officials.
Fiji Festival
However, he will attend the ‘Fiji First Festival’ scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Vodafone Events Centre (770 Great South Road, Manukau). The Festival, based on ‘Fiji’ as its central theme, will be held indoors and would include food stalls, games and other amusements. Entry to the event is free.
“Mr Bainimarama will deliver a public address outlining his plans for Fiji at the Festival and speak about the general election due to be held in Fiji on September 17, 2014,” a Party official said.
Radio Tarana
Apart from attending a number of other meetings and events that have been planned during his visit, he will participate in a talkback programme of Radio Tarana (1386 AM) on Sunday, August 10, 2014 from 4 pm to 6 pm.
He will also participate in the iTaukei Programme hosted by Nemai Vucago on Pacific Radio 531 pi on Saturday, August 9 at 8 pm.
His wife Mary and officials of the Fiji First Party will accompany Mr Bainimarama.
He has not visited New Zealand since he assumed office on December 5, 2006 following a military coup. Since then relations between the two countries went cold, although there have been significant improvements in recent months.
A Related Report appears under Fijilink.
