A FORMER New Zealand high commissioner to Fiji has died.
Te Rongotoa (Tia) Barrett, 62, who was High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, passed away at Middlemore Hospital following a short illness.
He was high commissioner to Fiji from 1998 to 2001.
Yesterday, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said expressed condolences on behalf of the New Zealand Government.
"On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I would like to extend deepest sympathy to Tia's wife Theresa, and his children Nick and Caroline," Mr McCully said.
"Tia was a respected diplomat, particularly in the Pacific where he served a number of postings. He was also a close and caring friend of colleagues at the Ministry."
A media release from the NZ Government said Mr Barrett joined the Foreign Ministry in 1973.
He was High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands from 1992-1995, Fiji from 1998-2001 and to the Cook Islands from January this year.
Mr Barrett also served in to Tonga, New Caledonia, and France.
