E2.26 Sporting contacts with Fiji (06/12/2006)

1. Visa and immigration officers must not issue or grant temporary visas or permits to sportspeople representing Fiji or sportspeople in Fijian national representative teams at all levels who are applying to enter New Zealand temporarily for the purpose of such national representation.
2. Notwithstanding (a) above, Fiji sportspeople representing Fiji or in Fijian national teams participating in international sporting tournaments hosted by New Zealand may be issued visas and granted permits if:
   1. participation in the international sporting tournament requires travel to New Zealand, and
   2. the New Zealand host sporting body does not have control over the selection of participants.
3. Visa and immigration officers must not issue or grant temporary visas or permits to Fijian sportspeople in non-representative teams or to Fijian individuals who are applying to enter New Zealand temporarily for the purpose of sporting contacts.
4. Notwithstanding (c) above, a Fijian individual applying to enter New Zealand for the purpose of sporting contact may be issued a visa and granted a permit if that person is a professional sportsperson working as an individual.
5. For the purpose of this policy ‘sportspeople’ includes players (either competing or training), sports administrators, coaches and other personnel associated with nationally representative and non-representative sports teams.

Effective 07/12/2006