The New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Caroline McDonald has been given a week to pack up and leave the country.

Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made the revelation this evening, putting all [media] speculation to rest.

"It is with deep regret and reluctance that the government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands has come to the decision to declare the acting High Commissioner to Fiji Mrs Caroline McDonald persona no grata. This decision, was reached as a direct result of Mrs McDonald's actions over the past year that have been contrary to the accepted international norms of diplomatic behaviour."

Those are the words that could well decide the future relations between Fiji and New Zealand, ending all speculations that were circulated in the media recently, both local and foreign.

In a brief statement yesterday the Interim AG said the expulsion was deeply regretted, but in the circumstances it has had little choice.

Tension between the two governments had always been there since the events of December 2006, with neither willing to give in.

Sayed-Khaiyum says in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 the government has decided to declare McDonald persona non-grata. FBCL Online/Pacific Media Watch, 23/12/08.