Fiji on the Trail of Regional Rapprochement

Rapprochement was the main theme of the state visit to New Zealand by Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama in late October. The relationship between the two countries has been strained since the 2006 coup in which Bainimarama seized power. Since then, Fiji’s prime minister has been suspicious of the South Pacific’s two main powers: Australia and New Zealand.

This was the first official visit to New Zealand by Bainimarama. The restoration of democracy in 2014, where Bainimarama’s Fiji First party won the national election, has paved the way for normalization of the relationship. There nonetheless remains significant tension due to how Bainimarama initially came to power, alongside a number of foreign policy shifts made by his government that have challenged regional norms.

Prior to the meeting between Bainimarama and his New Zealand counterpart John Key, the New Zealand prime minister maintained his skeptical position toward the Fijian prime minister, stating, “As far as I can see he’s never going to change his view that he was justified in doing what he did, and we’re not going to change our view that we don't agree with people assuming authority through the barrel of a gun.”

However, upon meeting, relations between the two prime ministers became more cordial, with both men stressing the importance of moving the relationship forward. Key said that the pair committed to restoring the relationship, including “a commitment from both sides to build deeper political and diplomatic ties, to mirror the significant business and people-to-people links that exist between us.”

Bainimarama added that he was “very pleased that the prime minister has agreed with me to take the relationship to another level, a relationship where we let bygones be bygones and work closely together to advance the interests of Fiji and New Zealand's peoples. If we can just continue to look forward now and not necessarily look back, that'll be good for both Fiji and New Zealand.” After their meeting the pair attended a New Zealand vs. Australia rugby match in Auckland.

Discussions between the two prime ministers concentrated on the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus), a proposed framework for trade cooperation in the region. While previously Bainimarama had stated his opposition to the agreement, Key is keen to keep the Fijians engaged in talks. Bainimarama claims that Fiji won't sign until there are better terms for the country in regards to infant industries, the “most favored nation” clause of the agreement, and, most importantly, greater labor mobility for Fijians to seize upon employment opportunities in New Zealand and Australia. In addition, the two sides discussed matters of development aid; the forthcoming South Pacific Defense Minister's Meeting, to be held next year in New Zealand; and further cooperation with regional sporting endeavors, highly important for cultural engagement between the two rugby-obsessed nations.

While Bainimarama may bristle at the Pacific influence of what he believes to be an outside power – New Zealand – his desire to “let bygone be bygones” is a recognition of his country’s need for cooperation with its larger, wealthier neighbors. As a show of good faith in the lead up to the visit, Bainimarama lifted the ban of three journalists (two New Zealanders and an Australian) that had been in place since the 2006 coup. 

New Zealand has long been a significant development aid and economic partner for Fiji. Two-way trade between the countries was estimated at NZ$567 million (US$406 million) at the beginning of 2015. This consisted of mostly agricultural products, as well as the more than 120,000 New Zealanders who visit Fiji annually.

With the small populations and economies of Pacific Islands like Fiji, cooperative relationships with the region’s larger players is essential for their security, finances, and acquiring the expertise needed to deliver essential services. With a population of 900,000 people, Fiji has a greater capacity than other countries in the region; however, it still has a certain reliance on New Zealand and Australia, particularly after natural disasters like Cyclone Winston.

Since Bainimarama has come to power, Fiji has attempted to set itself itself up as a champion of Pacific Island interests against the domination of the region’s two major powers in Australia and New Zealand. Fiji’s creation of the Pacific Island Development Forum (PIDF), an institution that excluded these two powers, was widely seen as a challenge to the region’s primary multilateral institution, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF). Bainimarama has refused to attend the PIF while New Zealand and Australia remain members.

While the improved relations between Fiji and New Zealand born from this state visit will be greatly welcomed in both Wellington and Canberra, it remains to be seen whether these improved relations will restore normalcy to Fiji’s foreign relations or whether Bainimarama will continue to pursue his distinctive path.