List of High Commissioners of New Zealand to Fiji
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to Fiji is New Zealand's foremost diplomatic representative in the Republic of the Fiji Islands, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission in Fiji.
The High Commission is located in Suva, Fiji's capital city. New Zealand first maintained a resident Head of Mission in Fiji since 1970. The Ambassador to Fiji is concurrently accredited to Nauru and Tuvalu.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Fiji are at governmental level, rather than between Heads of State. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassadors. Between 1987 and 1997, this was not the case; after the Coups of 1987, Fiji was expelled from the Commonwealth, but rejoined after the promulgation of a new constitution in 1997. Hence, from 1987 until 1997, New Zealand was represented in Fiji by an ambassador.
List of heads of mission
High Commissioners to Fiji
- Sir John Grace (1970–1973)
- Graham Ansell (1973–1977)
- David McDowell (1977–1980)
- Michael Powles (1980–1982)
- Lindsay Johnstone Watt (1982–1985)
- Rod Gates (1985–1987)
Ambassadors to Fiji
- Rod Gates (1987–1988)
- Brian Absolum (1988–1991)
- Don MacKay (1991–1995)
- Suzanne Blumhardt (1995–1997)
High Commissioners to Fiji
- Suzanne Blumhardt (1997–1998)
- Tia Barrett (1998–2001)
- Adrian Simcock (2001–2004)
- Michael Green (2004–2007) [Expelled]
- Caroline McDonald (2007–2008) [Expelled]
- Phillip Taula (current)
References
- Heads of Missions List: F. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved on 2006-07-08.
