The Fijian government plans to reopen its consulate in Auckland to assist the Fijian diaspora and harness trade development opportunities in Aotearoa.

Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Ratu Inoke Kubuabola told RNZ Pacific this is an important function that needs to be restored, following the restoration of international trade functions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Sitiveni Rabuka’s coalition.

Ratu Inoke said the portfolio was moved from Foreign Affairs to Ministry of Trade by the previous Bainimarama-led government. The re-opening of the Auckland consulate will ensure services are streamlined and efficient, both for the Fijians in New Zealand and trade.

“There was previously a Fiji Consulate Office in Auckland, which was closed after the portfolio for International Trade was transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Trade under the previous administration,” Ratu Inoke said.

“The [Fiji] Mission is currently in the preliminary stages of re-establishing its long-term presence in Auckland, prior to formally notifying the New Zealand government of Fiji’s intention to re-open the consulate.”

Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Ministry chief executive Dr Raijieli Taga was in Wellington in the past week for a visit and discussed the matter with Ratu Inoke and his team.

Ratu Inoke said more than half of consular clients who access services in Wellington travel from Auckland, while others come in from other parts of New Zealand.

“It therefore makes practical sense to bring services closer to them,” he said, noting that while the Fiji High Commission currently provides consular services in Auckland on a monthly basis, “this is an interim measure, and a more permanent solution is required.”

The consular team from Wellington travels to Auckland every month to register those who need passport services and other related issues.

The team also serves members of the Fijian community in Niue and the Cook Islands.

Ratu Inoke said once the Auckland office becomes fully operational, all consular services that were previously available only in Wellington will be accessible in Auckland.

These services will include passport lodgement, certificates of identity, citizenship applications, visa applications, and applications for birth, single status, marriage, and death certificates, as well as police clearance.

The high commission has received many complaints from members of the Fiji diaspora in New Zealand about delays in receiving new passports over the years.

Ratu Inoke said they have raised the issue with government departments involved, adding they continue to look for solutions that would ensure efficient and timely processing of requests.

“We do understand the challenges our diaspora face when it comes to getting their new passports in a timely manner,” he said.

“I can confirm raising this issue with our capital. The mission is guided by our governments policies in making such decisions and we are constantly looking how to improve services to the diaspora.”

On trade, Ratu Inoke said the re-opened consulate aims to strengthen Fiji’s visibility among potential investors seeking to expand or establish business in Fiji.

It is anticipated that the designated Consul-General, supported by two trade officers, will work closely and strategically within a government-targeted approach, guided by the Mission in Wellington to maximise opportunities and elevate Fiji-New Zealand bilateral trade to a higher level.

Recent visits by the former Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica and the Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tuinabuna highlighted the need to strengthen trade relations.

Minister Tuinabuna said during his November visit that while Fiji has a lot of commodities that could be exported to New Zealand, there is a need to ensure that the systems support the market, so the opportunities are fully utilised.

Another area that is being boosted and which will also become a part of the Auckland consulate services is the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme program.

Thousands of Fijians now work under the scheme here in New Zealand.

In trying to ensure that the workers receive the support they need so that they can continue to assist families back at home with remittances, the Fijian government has secured the service of a fulltime RSE Liaison Officer.

Ratu Inoke said since joining the RSE scheme in 2015, a total of 4977 Fijian nationals has been able to work in New Zealand.

“The economic benefits of the scheme, together with its tangible impact, have been significant-particularly within our rural communities,” he said.

Fiji’s new RSE country liaison officer Greg Traill has been tasked with providing support, guidance, and pastoral care to all Fijian workers, as well as raising awareness of their rights and responsibilities under the scheme.

He will also monitor and address issues affecting both Fijian workers and approved employers, and work to ensure a constructive and cordial relationship between all parties involved.

Fiji’s previous Auckland consulate-general included Mikaele Yasa, Dr Ahmed Ali, Ilaitia Damu, Meli Waqa, and Peni Bolatagici.