SUVA (Pacnews) — New Zealand will allow Fiji’s interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau to transit through Auckland to attend the funeral of Samoa’s late head of state Malietoa Tanumafili II, despite travel bans placed against the members of the interim administration, after the military takeover last year.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Michael Green said, “because this is an important Pacific occasion New Zealand will allow the Fiji delegation to transit through Auckland so that Fiji can be appropriately represented at the funeral.”
Foreign Affairs permanent secretary Ross Ligairi said Ratu Epeli will lead a four-member team to Samoa.
“The interim Fijian Affairs Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau will be accompanied by his wife Adi Ateca and two officials from the Fijian Affairs and Foreign Affairs,” he said.
“They will leave from Nadi for New Zealand where they will board the flight to Samoa. The delegation will return after the funeral on Saturday.”
While this was official government duties Ratu Epeli and his wife will be meeting with members of the royal household also as Pacific royalty is closely linked.
“The royal families from both Tonga and Samoa have links with our chiefly households in Fiji. That is why when there is an important event in any of our countries, representatives of these households attend,” Ratu Epeli said.