Prime Minister Helen Clark says it's troubling that authorities in Fiji have refused to allow Australia to boost diplomatic protection following death threats to its high commissioner there.
James Batley has received two death threats in the past couple of weeks, delivered once by someone seen in a taxi and the second time by post.
Miss Clark said from South Korea she was concerned to learn of the second, politically-motivated, threat received yesterday.
"The difficult environment in which foreign diplomats find themselves working in Fiji makes these threats particularly troubling.
"I expect the Fiji police to investigate them thoroughly as a matter of priority," she said.
Miss Clark said the threats appeared to have been made by people who objected to the Australian Government's policy on Fiji.
"I am also very disappointed that the Fiji interim government authorities have rejected a perfectly reasonable request from the Australian Government to be allowed to send Australian close protection personnel to Fiji to provide additional security to their high commissioner."
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith yesterday said Australia would not be cowed into softening its stance against Fiji's military government.
"The safety, security and welfare of all high commission staff and their families is paramount in Australia's response to these threats," he said.
"If these threats are an effort to intimidate the Australian government about its policy on Fiji or an attempt to intimidate our high commissioner, let me make it very clear they won't have any such effect."
Miss Clark said the New Zealand High Commission in Suva was taking "sensible precautions" in respect of the safety of its staff members.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade advised New Zealanders living in or travelling to Fiji to be aware of the risks.