New Zealand is not sending mixed messages about its ban on sporting contact with Fiji by allowing them to play sevens rugby here, Helen Clark said today.

“The only message is that New Zealand doesn’t control the invitation list. There is no relaxation whatsoever on bilateral sporting contacts, but this is an international tournament,” she said.

Earlier today, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff and Sport Minister Trevor Mallard announced that the ban on sporting contact with Fiji, which was to be reviewed by 31 December, will be extended until the New Zealand Government considered Fiji had made enough progress towards implementing a democratic and constitutional government.