What about a Fiji-New Zealand bubble?

Last week, the Attorney-General and Minister for Economy stated on social media about a Fiji Australia, New Zealand bubble “while we’re incredibly grateful for the help of our larger regional neighbours, Fijians yearn to swim sustainably, not just be kept afloat”.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum indicated that Fiji would love to be part of the trans-Tasman bubble.

According to New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, a viable trans-Tasmin bubble depends on safety from transmission. There are some states in Australia that are doing well while others like New South Wales still have high numbers of COVID-19 cases. There are discussions underway about the best way forward.

A desire for a trans-Tasman bubble stems from economic considerations. It is clear to see how a Pacific bubble with New Zealand and Australia would benefit Fiji economically, but whether this would benefit New Zealand and Australia is also a key consideration.

While Australia and New Zealand have confirmed that Fiji is being considered as part of the bubble the process to formalise an arrangement is expected to take time. If it is taking time to decide the Australian status because of COVID-19 figures, perhaps it would be an opportunity to look at other options, for example, what about a Fiji – New Zealand mini bubble based on current low COVID-19 cases?

Fiji and New Zealand appear to have transmission and contact tracing under control. New Zealand currently has only one active COVID-19 case and there haven’t been any new cases in the last seven days. For the past four weeks, Fiji has recorded no new COVID-19 cases which indicates that we have successfully contained the killer virus.

The Fiji and New Zealand relationship is important given the contribution that New Zealand tourists bring to Fiji, which constitutes the second highest percentage of tourists coming here. Australia contributes the highest.

A Fiji-New Zealand bubble will strengthen relations and economic ties. It will provide a lifeline to the Fijian economy which depends on tourism for its survival. New Zealand is now looking at going down to level one as restrictions continue to be lifted.

While it is helping Fiji through its aid programme and emergency assistance, the best form of help would be to form a bubble with Fiji. Obviously for New Zealand, questions will be asked about the benefits it would get from the bubble.

Like Fiji, tourism contributes significantly to the New Zealand economy. It’s the reason why New Zealand is pursuing the trans-Tasman bubble because Australian tourists contribute to the Kiwi economy in a big way.

Fijians may not match the Australians, but there are other areas that will benefit both countries in terms of business, trade, labour mobility, defence and security and education as part of our bilateral relations.

The bubble will revitalise the travel industry especially our airlines, which have suffered severely from COVID-19.

While health worries are still top of our list of concerns, the opening of the border can be done in a controlled manner to ensure that safety is always paramount.

While New Zealand is waiting for Australia to improve its COVID-19 figures, it can start the ball rolling in a mini-bubble with Fiji.