KEY POINTS:
The travel ban on Fijians behind last December's coup and members of the interim government has been extended to cover senior officials appointed by the military regime since then.
The New Zealand Government's action is a response to the expulsion from Suva last month of High Commissioner Michael
Green.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said the visa ban was also being widened to cover transit and high-level contacts with Fiji's interim government.
The ban on Fijians seeking seasonal work in New Zealand would also be extended to Fijians who are already in New Zealand for other reasons.
Helen Clark said the visa ban on coup perpetrators, the military and members of Fiji's interim government and their families was having the twin effect of putting pressure on self-appointed Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama and his supporters and making people think twice about supporting the regime.
"The Government has decided that the existing visa ban is to be extended, with immediate effect, to cover all those appointed since the coup to head government departments and agencies, or placed on statutory boards, and their immediate family members," she said.
"This extended ban also applies to transit visas. The earlier ban imposed on travel to New Zealand or transit by Fiji national or club sports teams will be maintained."
Any contact at high level with Fiji's interim government would now require her permission or that of Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
Government aid would continue through programmes that helped Fiji's poorest people, but it would not be channelled through the interim government.
Helen Clark said the measures were designed to show Fiji's leaders how seriously New Zealand considered the expulsion of its diplomatic representative.
Commodore Bainimarama has given no reason for the action, other than claiming Mr Green was "interfering in Fiji's domestic affairs".
That has been strongly denied, and Helen Clark has said Mr Green never went beyond his diplomatic duties.
Mr Peters said that despite the consequences arising from the expulsion of our High Commissioner, New Zealand would help Fiji move towards elections.
"We remain ready to work with Fiji, Pacific Island Forum members, and other development partners to provide technical advice and assistance," Mr Peters said.
"Before we get to that point, however, the interim government must demonstrate through actions - not just words - that it will undertake the steps necessary for a credible census and elections to be held within the timeframe already accepted by the interim government."
Not welcome
* Fiji interim government members remain banned.
* Transit through NZ not permitted.
* Clampdown on work restrictions on Fijians in NZ.
- NZPA
