By Tony Reid
3 News can reveal New Zealand defence force personnel who travel to Fiji on holiday, are being told not to divulge who they work for.
The ‘don't tell’ policy has been secretly in place since 2009 - when concerns were raised about the safety of our armed forces heading there.
When Fiji was hit by floods recently, 3 News bumped into two navy officers in Nadi who were heading to the outer islands for their honeymoon.
After the Fiji coup, New Zealand imposed a range of sanctions, including a travel ban on all Fijian military coming to New Zealand.
But there is nothing stopping our military from travelling there on personal business as long as they:
- Request approval prior to travel
- Undergo a security briefing
- Those in more senior ranks don’t travel
Defence force personnel are also advised to put public servant on their arrival card to help keep a low profile.
“The militaries in the two countries have not had any good relationships since the coup. So there is that fear in the minds of perhaps the New Zealand military personnel about going to Fiji,” says Dr Steven Ratuva, of Auckland University.
3 News understands the don't tell policy was introduced following an incident in 2009 when defence force personnel were roughed up while holidaying in Fiji.
The defence force declined to be interviewed on camera, citing security reasons.
The Minister of Defense, Jonathon Coleman, would not be drawn either.
“There's issues around visiting Fiji for New Zealand government personnel. And that is really a matter for defence force to comment on, that's a directive that's come from them,” says Mr Coleman.
Mr Ratuva says it makes sense not to allow senior ranks to travel to Fiji, because they could be targeted.
Senior officers in New Zealand are seen to be pretty close to the political hierarchy at the top. Not so much the rank and file down below
The Fijian government did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
3 News