"[5] Australia, like New Zealand, had strongly condemned the December 2006 coup, whereas China by contrast had advised the international community to show understanding towards the situation in Fiji.

Later that year, Helen Clark stated that Bainimarama would be "treated like a leper" if he attended a Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tonga in October.

[13] New Zealand's highly strained bilateral relations with Fiji attracted international comment when they led the two countries to a dispute over football.

[14][15] In June 2008, Bainimarama stated that New Zealand and Australia were not genuinely trying to "move Fiji forward"; he described their pressure and demands as "insincere, hypocritical, unconstructive and obstructionist".

[16] Bainimarama added that "Australia and New Zealand are bent on sabotaging the efforts of the interim Government in building strong and accountable institutions" for Fiji.

[23] On the same day, a TVNZ journalist (Barbara Dreaver) was detained at Nadi International Airport and taken to a Fiji detention centre overnight before she was deported back to New Zealand on the morning of the 16th.

Also, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials went to the detention centre to visit the journalist but were also denied entry, John Key stated that: "That is totally unacceptable and we will be taking that matter up with the Fijian authorities,".

[28] New Zealand also specified that "the dialogue did not signal a change in Wellington's strong opposition to Fiji's military-led administration nor would sanctions be eased as a result".

[29] On 10 June 2011, as Royal Tongan Navy vessels moved to occupy the disputed Minerva Reef between Fiji and Tonga, an unsigned press statement on the website of the Fijian government denounced "a web of deceit [and] collusion" involving Australia and New Zealand.

The statement said "the Tongans as seen with their presence at the Minerva Reef will be manipulated through offerings of gifts and aid to try and turn up the ante", adding: "As far as Fiji is concerned there is no Mara or Tonga/Fiji situation.