Relationship dossier
Fiji
New Zealand
Relationship assessment
Development and regional cooperation coexist with a history of coup-related diplomatic tensions.
Fiji toward New Zealand
+15Fiji has engaged New Zealand through bilateral and regional cooperation, including the Fiji–New Zealand Partnership established in 2019. Relations were sharply strained after Fiji's 2006 coup, when Fiji expelled New Zealand diplomats and objected to New Zealand measures against the military-led government.
New Zealand toward Fiji
+25New Zealand has provided development assistance and disaster support to Fiji and has pursued bilateral cooperation through the Fiji–New Zealand Partnership established in 2019. After Fiji's 2006 coup, New Zealand imposed measures against the military-led government, contributing to a period of diplomatic strain.
Overall relationship
+25The relationship combines durable development and regional cooperation with a significant episode of diplomatic confrontation following Fiji's 2006 coup. Fiji's return to elected government enabled renewed engagement, including the 2019 bilateral partnership.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Fiji and New Zealand have substantial cooperation, including New Zealand development assistance and disaster support, alongside close regional engagement. Relations were strained after Fiji's 2006 coup, with New Zealand imposing measures against the military-led government and Fiji expelling New Zealand diplomats. Ties improved following Fiji's return to elected government, and the countries established a Fiji–New Zealand Partnership in 2019.
Areas of tension
- Fiji's 2006 coup and New Zealand's response, including measures against the military-led government.
- Diplomatic expulsions and disputes over New Zealand's involvement in Fiji's domestic political affairs.
Key developments
Following Fiji's 2006 coup, New Zealand imposed measures against the military-led government and Fiji expelled New Zealand diplomats.
Fiji and New Zealand established the Fiji–New Zealand Partnership.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of the Fiji–New Zealand Partnership are unclear.
- The extent of recent bilateral defence and security cooperation is unclear.