The semi-final in Wellington Sevens between Fiji and New Zealand was somewhat special, especially after the Fiji team, as guests in Wellington were hurt and humiliated by the NZ Government for something they did not do.

For many, when the Fijians made rings round the Kiwi players, and thrashed them on their home turf was vengeance for hurtful comments by New Zealands Sports Minister Trevor Mallard.

While New Zealand preached a great deal about democracy, its failure to distinguish between sports and politics left them far off the mark as honest defenders of democracy. As the Fiji Times editorial echoed, with the 31 nil trouncing, the Kiwis lost more than a game. They lost an opportunity to drive home their sermon of democracy when they opted not to take the harder and more expensive road, of forfeiting hosting the increasingly popular Wellington Sevens.

Such a move would have certainly hit the message home to many and more importantly, such a sanction would not hurt the pockets of Fiji’s struggling people. With its expediency, New Zealand is branding itself as a hypocrite with double standards.

My request to the New Zealand Government is to pitch in and help Fiji onto the path of sustainable democracy, so we all can be proud of a peaceful and united Pacific. In the Biblical terms, I would request New Zealand to “love thy neighbour”.

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