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Story: Fijians

New Zealand involvement in Fiji’s politics

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New Zealand involvement in Fiji’s politics

In 1920 British authorities in Fiji requested New Zealand’s help in restoring order during a strike and riots by Indian labourers and sugar cane farmers. Prime Minister William Massey responded by sending 60 soldiers (pictured) as members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

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Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: C383

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Jacqueline Leckie, Fijians – First waves of immigration, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/773/new-zealand-involvement-in-fijis-politics (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Jacqueline Leckie, published 4 March 2009, updated 1 July 2024.