NZ softens stance on Fiji sports teams

New Zealand has softened its stance on visiting sports teams from Fiji, says Prime Minister John Key.

The Labour government banned all visiting Fijian sports teams except the rugby sevens team after Commodore Frank Bainimarama's military takeover of the country in 2006.

Key says his Government had "softened" its stance on Fijian sports team since coming to power in last year's election in November, The Dominion Post reported.

"New Zealand has been effectively softening its sanctions in relation to sporting ties and the travel of sports teams."To all intents and purposes, since we've been the Government we've been signing off on sports teams either transiting to New Zealand or coming to engage in sports activities here."

However, a travel ban remains on members of Cdre Bainimarama's regime and their families coming to New Zealand. link....