Tame Iti Denies Collusion In Fiji Bomb Threat

Maori Activist Tame Iti has denied any connection to a bomb threat made to an Air New Zealand 767 plane on Friday.

Speaking after returning to New Zealand Tame Iti denied his involvement in the scare "Why would I put a bomb in my plane and blow myself and everybody up. It's crazy." said Mr. Iti.

Flight NZ45 was on its way to New Zealand with 10 Maori activists and 200 other passengers when it returned to Fiji after an anonymous caller called Nadi Airport.

The activists, who were in Fiji to support hostage taker George Speight, were then barred from leaving the airport and questioned by Fijian authorities. Tame Iti and his party were sent home on another plane the following day.

Tame Iti blamed New Zealand government pressure for the visas being denied. Iti also criticised the Air New Zealand 767 pilot for refusing to let him and his party reboard after the plane returned to Suva.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Phil Geoff, has accused Tame Iti of colluding with the rebels, Mr Goff said the military acted because activists were there only to make the situation worse.

Speaking in Fiji ,army spokesman Colonel Filipo Tarakinikini said of the incident "We do not want people meddling in our internal affairs."

© Scoop Media