The Fijian Government is set to reopen its consulate in Auckland, aiming to better serve the increasing Fijian diaspora and enhance trade development opportunities within New Zealand. Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, emphasized the importance of re-establishing this consulate, especially following the recent decision by the Coalition Government, led by Sitiveni Rabuka, to revert international trade functions back under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the tenure of the previous Bainimarama-led government, the international trade portfolio was transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Trade, which led to the closure of the Fiji Consulate Office in Auckland. Ratu Inoke clarified that the previous arrangement greatly hindered the ability of Fijians in New Zealand to access crucial consular services.
Ratu Inoke indicated that the Fiji mission is currently in the early stages of establishing a sustainable presence in Auckland and plans to formally inform the New Zealand Government of Fiji’s intentions in the near future. This initiative was discussed during a recent visit to Wellington, where Dr. Raijieli Taga, chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Ratu Inoke and his team.
An important reason for the reopening is the fact that a significant number of consular clients currently accessing services in Wellington travel from Auckland, alongside visitors from various parts of New Zealand. Ratu Inoke remarked, “It therefore makes practical sense to bring services closer to them.” At this time, while the High Commission provides consular services in Auckland on a monthly basis, there is a strong need for a more permanent solution to avoid delays.
Currently, a consular team from Wellington travels to Auckland each month to handle passport registrations and other essential services, which also include support for Fijian communities in Niue and the Cook Islands. Once the Auckland consulate is fully operational, it will offer a comprehensive suite of consular services, including passport lodgement, citizenship applications, and issuance of various official documents such as marriage and death certificates.
Ratu Inoke addressed ongoing concerns from the Fijian diaspora regarding delays in passport processing and assured that the mission is actively seeking to improve service efficiency. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the diaspora and expressed a commitment to providing more timely processing and enhanced services moving forward. With these developments, the reopening of the Auckland consulate is poised to significantly enrich the support available to Fijians residing in New Zealand, fostering stronger community ties and trade relations.
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