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Exchange of Notes between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Fiji Constituting an Agreement on the Waiver of Visas [1986] PITSE 8 (13 November 1986)

EXCHANGE OF LETTERS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT ON THE WAIVER OF VISAS

(Suva 13 November 1986)

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 1 DECEMBER 1986

No. 1

His Excellency Mr ROD GATES

To

The Right RATU SIR KAMISESE MARA, CMG, KBE, KST. J.
Prime Minister of Fiji

New Zealand High Commission
Suva, Fiji
13 November 1986

Dear Prime Minister,

I have the honour to refer to recent discussions between representatives of our two Governments concerning arrangements to facilitate travel between our two countries and to suggest that a visa agreement in the following terms be concluded between the Government of Fiji and the Government of New Zealand:

1 Fiji citizens holding valid Fiji passports may enter New Zealand as temporary visitors without obtaining a visa provided their intended stay does not exceed three months.

2 New Zealand citizens holding valid New Zealand passports may enter Fiji as temporary visitors without obtaining a visa provided their intended stay does not exceed three months.

3 The foregoing shall not exempt Fiji or New Zealand citizens from the respective requirements of the New Zealand or Fiji authorities regarding entry, residence (whether temporary or permanent), and employment or occupation of foreigners. Persons who are unable to satisfy the respective immigration authorities that they comply with these requirements shall be liable to be refused permission to enter or land.

4 These provisions shall not restrict the appropriate authorities in New Zealand or Fiji from denying entry into their territories of any person they may consider undesirable or from temporarily suspending this Agreement for reasons of public order, health or security.

5 For the purposes of the foregoing:

A The term 'temporary visitors' in paragraph one and two shall include business visitors but shall not include persons who enter New Zealand or Fiji with the intention of taking up employment or of engaging in a profession or occupation.

B The term "New Zealand'', where used as a territorial description shall exclude the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

6 The Agreement shall remain in force until ninety days after the date on which either party notifies the other in writing of its desire to terminate the Agreement.

7 If the foregoing terms are acceptable to the Government of Fiji I have the honour to propose that this letter and your reply to that effect shall constitute an Agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on 1st December 1986.

Please accept Prime Minister, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely

ROD GATES
HIGH COMMISSIONER

No. 2

The Right Honourable RATU SIR KAMISESE MARA, GCMG, KBE, KST. J.
Prime Minister of Fiji

To

His Excellency Mr ROD GATES
High Commissioner for New Zealand in Fiji

Government Buildings,
Suva, Fiji.

13 November 1986.

Dear High Commissioner

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency’s letter of today’s date which reads as follows:

[as in No. 1]

I have the honour to confirm on behalf of the Government of Fiji the foregoing arrangements and to agree to Your Excellency’s letter and this reply shall be regarded as constituting an agreement between the two Governments, which will enter into force on 1^st December 1986.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest considerations.

K. K. T. MARA
PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI