NZ has not softened its visa policy - McCully

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the New Zealand Government has not softened its visa policy for members of Fiji’s military.

Prime Minister John Key and Mr McCully appeared to send mixed messages on Friday, over whether Private Leone Nakarawa can visit New Zealand as part of a Fijian rugby team which will play the All Blacks in Dunedin.

Members of Fiji’s military are banned from visiting New Zealand, although Key said that Nakarawa was entitled to come.

In a statement, McCully said Nakarawa is not listed among the 22 Fijian rugby players who will visit New Zealand and he has not applied for a visa to come.

McCully said New Zealand Government policy has not been softened.

A government spokesperson said the Prime Minister confused advice about Nakarawa not being on the team list, with the list of people who are banned from travel here, including serving army officers.


Story by: Filipe Naikaso
Source: Radio NZ