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The decision to change New Zealand's travel advisory to Fiji could have a major impact on the country which relies heavily on tourism to stay afloat.
It comes after Fiji ordered the New Zealand and Australian heads of mission to leave the country.
Both New Zealand and Australia responded by expelling Fiji's acting head of mission from their respective countries.
The diplomats were expelled by self-declared Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, accusing both Australia and New Zealand of trying to undermine Fijian institutions after the countries threatened to extend travel bans to include members of Bainimarama's self-appointed judiciary.
But the travel ban does not seem to be stopping New Zealanders who are planning a holiday trip to Fiji, even under the current political climate.
Fiji bound tourists ONE News spoke to were only thinking about Fiji's golden sands.
But the New Zealand government is warning Kiwis who get into trouble there will not have a big staff to help them out.
"They need to know as things unfold at the moment ...we can't offer the support we would normally pride ourselves on," says Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.
Bainimarama says the welcome mat is firmly in place.
"We are a safe destination and the people of Fiji are the most hospitable in the world."
But the rocky regime has seen tourists look to other destinations instead like Rarotonga and Samoa.
"What we are likely to see is a drop off in the next few weeks while people asses the situation," says Brent Thomas, House of Travel spokesperson.
Three thousand fewer people visited Fiji this year than in the previous year.
And there is a warning to those enticed by cheap flights to the country to check their travel insurance before they leave.
Normal cover should apply but the New Zealand Insurance Council says at the moment there is a degree of uncertainty and if Kiwi travellers are caught up in the civil unrest their policy could change.
"Terms, conditions and prices haven't altered and won't alter unless New Zealand upgrades the warning," says Michelle Boulger, State Travel Insurance Manager.
Currently the situation in Fiji is classed as calm but foreign affairs says a rapid deterioration cannot be ruled out.
