Bainimarama says he is doing everything to produce closer relationship with AUS and NZ

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says he is doing everything that he can to produce a closer relationship with Australia and New Zealand, in which they collaborate on a whole range of matters in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

While addressing the Fijian community at Alexander Park in Auckland last night, Bainimarama highlighted that he likes John Key and is really looking forward to their talks and then going to the Bledisloe Cup together tonight.

He told the former residents of Fiji that it was great to have Key in Fiji back in June and whatever the New Zealand media said about the visit, it was a terrific success and the Prime Minister and he got on very well.

Bainimarama says Key is a straight shooter and he admires him for his plain speaking and willingness to let bygones be bygones just as he is doing with him and the New Zealand Government.

Bainimarama says the same applies to Malcolm Turnbull in Australia.

He says as they come closer together, all sorts of opportunities present themselves like more trade, more investment and closer cooperation on all those challenges they face in the region.

Meanwhile, Bainimarama also thanked former Fiji residents in Auckland last night for their big hearted response to the plight of Fijian people back home who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston in February.

The event was attended by over 500 people.