New Zealand on Friday lifted sanctions against Fiji but will continue indefinitely a visa ban on people believed to have plotted the May 2000 coup in the south Pacific island republic. New Zealand foreign affairs and trade minister Phil Goff said the move to remove a range of diplomatic, military, sporting and aid sanctions followed Fiji's readmission on Thursday into the Commonwealth, a 54-nation grouping most former British colonies.

Goff said the ties between Fiji and New Zealand had been strained since the coup.
"The events in May last year warranted a strong reaction, but I am pleased we are now in a position where New Zealand and the Commonwealth can have open dialogue with Fiji and rebuild the relationship," Goff said in a statement.
Australia removed a similar range of sanctions in October, saying clear progress had been made towards democracy. Bureau Report