Statement by Caroline McDonald, New Zealand Acting High Commissioner to Fiji on her return to New Zealand

I am disappointed to be returning home as a result of an arbitrary and unwarranted decision by the Fiji Interim Government.

As the Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, has made clear, there is no basis or justification for the Interim Government's action - which it has failed to substantiate in any way.

Instead, the Interim Government's action should be seen for what it is - retaliation for New Zealand's consistent policy of denying visas to regime supporters and their close families in the absence of any concrete progress toward democracy.

The Interim Government's decision to expel me is especially disappointing because my 11 months in Fiji were marked by a determined effort by successive New Zealand Governments to reach out to the regime. This included substantial support and assistance offered on the basis Fiji took credible steps towards restoring democracy, as Commodore Bainimarama promised Forum leaders in Tonga in 2007.

Despite the disappointment of leaving I am grateful to the people of Fiji, from all backgrounds, who have received me so warmly and have taught me so much about Fiji.

I also want to record my thanks to the many governments, international organisations as well as local groups, who publicly and through diplomatic channels, urged the Interim Government not to proceed with my unwarranted expulsion and expressed their disappointment at this decision.,

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the support I have received directly from Prime Minister Key and Foreign Minister McCully, and from my staff in Suva and colleagues in Wellington, and my husband Simon Mark.

Like them I too hope to see Fiji quickly return to its rightful place as a leader among the family of Pacific nations.