Fiji holidays offered to quake-hit Kiwis

Beach on Dolphin Island, Fiji. Photo / Jim Eagles

Grieving and homeless Christchurch residents will be offered quake relief in a surprising form - free beachside holidays in Fiji.

Airlines and resorts in the Pacific nation are planning to offer free or heavily discounted holidays to New Zealanders who were severely affected by the 6.3-magnitude quake that struck the country's second largest city on February 22.

The natural disaster, the country's biggest in 80 years, officially claimed 166 lives, with the final death toll expected to rise above 200.

Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association president Dixon Seeto said Air New Zealand and Fiji's national carrier, Air Pacific, were offering heavily discounted flights between Christchurch and Nadi for March.

Flights would cost as little as US$27 ($36.58) one way.

A number of major hotels were working on free holiday packages for affected families, Mr Seeto said.

"This shows the human side of the industry," he told Radio New Zealand International.

"I mean, we are a people industry, it's not all about making money.

"New Zealand is Fiji's second largest market (after Australia) and I just think on compassionate grounds it needs to be done."

It was recognition that Fiji felt for the people of Christchurch, "especially those who have lost family members and things like that", he said.

- AAP

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