The Defence Force will give Fiji assistance for the first time in nearly nine years this weekend.

New Zealand-Fijian relations have thawed since last year's Fijian election - and military cooperation is the last hurdle to achieving full diplomatic ties.

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee says an Air Force Orion will fly over Fiji on Saturday.

"Fiji is quite a distance from New Zealand but with the resumption of fishing patrols gives our guys a broader area to look at. It will also give Fiji valuable information as to how to protect their fisheries for the best advantage of their own people."