Michael Green, the man at the centre of the diplomatic crisis, is considered a quietly tenacious public servant, highly respected by the Government and his Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade colleagues.
Considered professional and unassuming, with a wry sense of humour, Mr Green can be acerbic onoccasion and is fond of jazz.
Before he was appointed to Fiji in 2004, he was a deputy secretary with responsibility for the Americas, North Asia, South and Southeast Asia and security policy.
He has also been ambassador to Indonesia, China, the United Nations and Thailand.
Mr Green began his diplomatic career in the early 1970s but from 1988 to 1994 diverted to intelligence, as director of the External Assessments Bureau. The intelligence unit, within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, provides information to the Government on international developments that have a bearing on New Zealand's interests.
Mr Green's appointment to Fiji marked the beginning of a new approach to the Pacific by New Zealand, that of sending more experienced and senior diplomats to the coup-prone country.
Mr Green is a neighbour of coup leader Frank Bainimarama in a Suva suburb. The High Commission residence comes with a swimming pool in the shape of a kiwi.
Mr Green's wife, Gill, teaches English at the University of the South Pacific in Suva. They have two adult children.
