Fiji's former army chief Lieutenant Colonel Tevita Mara is due to arrive in New Zealand tonight.
Lt Col Mara sparked controversy when he fled to Tonga in May after being charged with sedition - for allegedly making anti-government comments - and accused of trying to overthrow the regime.
Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who came into power following a coup in 2006, declared Lt Col Mara a fugitive and has sought to have him extradited from Tonga, Australia and New Zealand.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully was not available for comment today, but a spokesman from his office said Lt Col Mara had been granted a five-day visa to visit New Zealand.
NZPA understands Lt Col Mara will arrive in New Zealand tonight, and hold a series of public meetings over the next few days to speak about the Fiji regime.
