The leader of Fiji's opposition National Federation Party Biman Prasad says more clarification is needed from the New Zealand government on the mass surveillance it is reportedly conducting in the region.
The leader of the Fiji National Federation Party, Biman Prasad. Photo: RNZ / Sally Round
Last week, the investigative journalist Nicky Hager reported New Zealand's security agency, the GCSB, has intercepted communications from countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa, and passed the information to the United States.
Mr Prasad says while it is premature to comment, New Zealand has a responsibility to reassure Pacific Island countries by providing more information.
"More information as to the nature of the surveillance and what impact does it have on the privacy of individuals in Pacific Island countries. I'm sure the New Zealand government itself might provide further clarification to its counterparts in the Pacific and that would be helpful."
Fiji's government has so far made no official comment on the reports.