Fiji’s interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is set to face protests during his visit to New Zealand this weekend to campaign for the upcoming elections.

He was due to arrive in Auckland last night and attend a large FijiFirst Party festival in Manukau today, where he is the keynote speaker.

A spokesman for Bainimarama and FijiFirst said his itinerary was yet to be finalised.

“He’s just visiting Fijians there and letting them know about the elections and what FijiFirst stands for.”

However, protests have been organised by local groups, including one advertising a poster with a rifle target mark over Bainimarama’s face, calling him “Dictator Bainimarama”.

Nik Naidu, spokesman for the Coalition of Democracy in Fiji, said there were mixed views about the regime leader’s visit.

While moves toward holding elections should be encouraged, there was still concern about ongoing restrictions on the media, political debate and the freedoms of opposition parties in Fiji.

Naidu questions the rationale of Bainimarama’s trip and says it could be a sign someone else may win the election.

Polls conducted by government-controlled media in Fiji have put support for FijiFirst at 90 per cent.

“If he’s got 90 per cent support, why bother with the 1000 voters that exist in New Zealand when you’ve got 600,000 registered voters at home?”

“I don’t think the votes are significant for him unless he’s worried, or unless he just wants a holiday.”

And Naidu doesn’t buy the idea that Bainimarama is looking for donors, as his party has the state’s resources at its disposal.

“There’s a risk of ridicule in coming here. There’s going to be protests. He’s not used to that. He’s going to have people heckling him in his speech.”

A protest is planned to coincide with Bainimarama’s talk at Manukau’s Vodafone Events Centre today.

Naidu said any protests have to strike the balance between encouraging democracy and condemning the human rights abuses going on in Fiji.

“You don’t want to upset him too much because you do want him to hold this election. But at the same time you do need to make it clear to him that you’re not happy with what he’s been doing and continuing to do.”

Naidu isn’t holding out hope the election will be fair – and said there’s already censorship and restrictions preventing true democracy.

The New Zealand government says the trip is not an official visit and no ministerial meetings will be held.

It has been quoted as saying that Bainimarama will then travel to Australia for the same reason.

The Australian government has confirmed that Bainimarama is interested in travelling on to Australia after his visit to New Zealand.

A spokesperson from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is aware Bainimarama and a delegation have expressed interest in making a private visit to Australia.

The ABC has contacted the office of Prime Minister Tony Abbott asking if it is aware of the proposed visit, but there has been no response.

Amnesty International says the Fiji Prime Minister’s visit to New Zealand is an opportunity for people to protest over human rights abuse in Fiji.

The human rights watchdog hopes to present its latest report on Fiji’s human rights situation to Bainimarama while he is Auckland to drum up support for his election campaign.

Amnesty’s Zealand’s chief executive, Grant Bayldon, said his group is calling on all election candidates and parties in Fiji to respect and protect human rights if they get in to power.

“What’s really important and interesting about his visit to New Zealand is that it’s the opportunity for people to speak out and to protest peacefully that doesn’t exist in Fiji.

“It’s the opportunity for people to make their views known here in New Zealand and we hope they’ll do that.”

Bayldon says Amnesty has asked to meet Bainimarama while he is in New Zealand.

Fijians will go to the polls on September 17 for the country’s first election since a military coup in December 2006.

In March, Australia and New Zealand lifted travel restrictions on Fijian leaders in recognition of progress towards a democratic election.

Both countries are providing assistance for the September polls.