Prime Minister John Key says Cabinet is considering increasing the number of Pacific Island workers who take part in New Zealand's seasonal work scheme - and Fiji's return to democracy could help that happen.
During the 'ava ceremony for Mr Key's visit to Poutasi village, the village chief Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale said its people were grateful for the help New Zealand had provided in the aftermath of the tsunami and since then.
He said a further way to help was to increase the numbers eligible for New Zealand's RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) scheme - under which Pacific Islanders work in horticulture areas such as fruit picking for a few months each year.
Mr Key said Cabinet was considering whether to increase the scheme's current 8000 annual limit, including 1,100 who come from Samoa each year.
The return to democracy of Fiji could help force the Government's hand. Mr Key said Fiji would return to the RSE scheme if it went ahead with planned September elections. "Without some minor increase [to RSE] that would require a reduction in everyone else's numbers to accommodate Fiji. We probably wouldn't want to take that step so there may be a minor increase."