Barry Whiteside, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, has unveiled the first polymer banknote in the country's history, alongside a coin to replace the $2 note.

The new $5 note incorporates new security features, Whiteside said, as well as being more durable. The polymer notes should last about 2.5 times as long as paper notes but will cost 1.5 times more. "Print and copy technology development moves so fast now and it is imperative that we move with the changes," the governor said. "If we