Mara visa won't be fast-tracked

Tevita Mara. Photo / Supplied

Fiji's former army chief Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara hopes to visit New Zealand after a trip to Australia tomorrow, but the Government does not intend to fast-track his visa application.

Colonel Mara has taken what is seen as a first step to obtain political asylum here, requesting he be taken off the New Zealand travel ban list. He fled to Tonga last month after being charged with trying to overthrow the regime of Frank Bainimarama.