A leading New Zealand journalist has been detained by Fijian authorities at Nadi airport in the wake of the expulsion of the New Zealand high commissioner, Michael Green.
Michael Field, the Auckland bureau chief for Fairfax New Zealand, was refused entry to Fiji when he arrived in Nadi on an Air Pacific flight from New Zealand.
Mr Field who authored a book on Fiji's 2000 coup and has written extensively on the country says he was informed by Fiji immigration officials that he had been placed on a black list on June 6.
"They tell me that I'll be expelled tomorrow," he said.
"They haven't managed to work out the details of this but I'm not allowed to leave a particular area of the airport and I presume that they're going to wait and find some military advice. I have some foreboding about what might happen next."
Mr Field says other New Zealand journalists who arrived on the same flight to cover the expulsion of New Zealand's high commissioner have been allowed into Fiji.
Rugby twist
Earlier, Fiji's interim prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, expelled New Zealand's high commissioner, Michael Green, for reportedly meddling in the country's internal affairs
However, our correspondent in Auckland, Peter Lewis, says New Zealand officials believe there could be a more bizarre explanation for the military leader's behaviour
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, who earlier condemned the move, says a seating incident at a recent rugby international between Fiji and the Junior All Blacks in Suva may explain the surprise decision to expel the high commissioner.
"That would seem simply bizarre that someone who purports to be the leader of his country can't arrange proper seating in their own country," Ms Clark said.
The New Zealand foreign minister, Winston Peters, says the decision is deplorable.
"Expelling diplomats is not the way for neighbours to conduct their relationship," Mr Peters said.
"Declaring a high commissioner persona non grata is a very grave act for any country to take.
"It is just one step below breaking relations.
"There will undoubtedly be consequences for Fiji, as this action will be viewed very seriously, not only by us, but by Fiji's other international partners including Pacific Island nations, Australia, the United States, and the European Union."
In a statement, Mr Peters says he is unaware of any activities by Mr Green which would justify his expulsion.
Mr Peters says Mr Green had drawn attention to New Zealand's policy in the wake of the coup, in line with his role as a diplomat, and has the full confidence of Prime Minister Helen Clark's government.
He says New Zealand had been in contact with Fiji in an effort to prevent the expulsion but it appears the regime was set on the "completely unjustifiable action".
"We will now consider our options, and the regime can expect a strong reaction," Mr Peters said, although he ruled out expelling the Fijian envoy.
Mr Green is due back in New Zealand late Thursday.
Australia expresses regret
Australia's foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer, says he deeply regrets Fiji's expelling of New Zealand's high commissioner.
He says expelling diplomatic representation from Fiji is extremely counter-productive.
Fiji releases statement
Fiji's government has released a statement explaining its reasons for expelling Mr Green.
Radio Australia's Pacific correspondent Campbell Cooney, says so far, the statement from Fiji's Ministry of Information is the only public comment on the expulsion made by the interim government.
It states: "It is with deep regret and reluctance that the government of the Republic of Fiji Islands has come to the decision to issue Persona Non-Grata to His Excellency Michael Green as New Zealand's high commissioner to Fiji.
The statement lays the blame for the expulsion at the feet of High Commissioner Green saying: "The practice of quiet diplomacy was foremost given all the chances to prevail by Fiji authorities in our efforts to seek understanding and co-operation of Mr Green to stop interfering in Fiji's domestic affairs."
And it takes a swipe at Helen Clark's government, saying: "Our Ambassador in Wellington has continuously been snubbed by the New Zealand government authorities."
In recent weeks, Fiji has recalled its high commissioners from New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and China.
