New Zealand will not relax travel sanctions against Fiji unless its ruling regime makes "positive changes", Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.
Fiji is reported to be threatening to boycott the Rugby World Cup tournament unless all its team members and officials are allowed into New Zealand.
The travel ban applies to members of Fiji's military and anyone associated with Commodore Frank Bainimarama's regime -- and that includes some team members and the chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union.
International Rugby Board (IRB) chief executive Mike Miller, who is visiting New Zealand, said earlier today he was confident the issue would be resolved and Fiji would have "a very good team" at the tournament, which begins in September.
Mr McCully said he hoped the IRB was correct with its forecast, but unless he could see "real changes" in Fiji the sanctions would remain in place.
"What is going to be required for us to make any substantive progress there is for the regime in Fiji to give some positive signals about how they're going to go forward," he said.
"Having military people assume control of their rugby union isn't the sort of signal that is going to help, nor is the suggestion that human rights are coming under pressure."
Mr McCully encouraged the IRB, which has been holding regular talks with Fijian officials, to try to influence them.
"I hope that (the IRB) will be able to add their voice to others who are suggesting to the Fijian Rugby Union and the regime there that the way forward is to try and show a bit of respect for human rights (and) to make steps towards the restoration of democracy."
Mr McCully said the sanctions could potentially affect the scheduled rugby test match between the All Blacks and Fiji at Carisbrook on July 22, although discussions had not yet been held about that.
The minister emphasised his door was always open to the Fijian government.
Prime Minister John Key yesterday said the Government would not relax travel sanctions to avoid potential problems with the tournament.
"We haven't changed our stance, which is that if someone is associated with the regime they will be subject to travel sanctions," he said.
