New Zealand to review development plan for Kiribati following cancelled visit

New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, has announced a review of the $102 million development programme with Kiribati, citing a lack of high-level engagement with the Pacific island nation.

He expressed disappointment after a planned visit to Kiribati was cancelled due to the unavailability of the island nation’s leadership.

The visit, scheduled for 21-22 January, was set to be the first by a New Zealand Minister in over five years and was part of Peters’ efforts to visit every Pacific Island country early in the Coalition Government’s term.

So far, he has successfully visited every member nation of the Pacific Islands Forum except Kiribati.

These travel plans were intended to help Peters better understand the region’s priorities and ensure that future development assistance, projected over the next three years, is well targeted.

In early August last year, the Kiribati government announced it would close the country’s borders to diplomats until 2025 due to upcoming elections.

The election results released late in August saw a record five female MPs elected to the Kiribati parliament, including opposition leader Tessie Lambourne, while President Taneti Maamau secured his third term.

Maamau, who was supposed to host the Peters’ delegation last week, cancelled the meeting a week before the visit.

“New Zealand has been a long-standing partner to Kiribati,” Peters said.

New Zealand opened its High Commission to Kiribati in 1989 and is one of a select few countries with a fully staffed, resident diplomatic mission in the capital Tarawa. Photo/Supplied

“The lack of political-level contact makes it very difficult for us to agree on joint priorities for our development programme and to ensure that it is well targeted and delivers good value for money.

“That’s important for both the people of Kiribati and for the New Zealand taxpayer.

“These assurances require senior engagement with the Government of Kiribati, which has not been forthcoming. This means a review of our development cooperation with Kiribati is needed.”

PMN News understands that New Zealand is not the only country facing challenges in organising high-level delegation visits to Kiribati.

New Zealand's development review

In light of the cancelled visit and the suspension of high-level diplomatic engagement, New Zealand is reviewing its development cooperation with Kiribati.

Between 2021 and 2024, New Zealand provided $102 million in aid, focusing on health, education, fisheries, economic development, and climate resilience.

Kiribati has a population of over 119,000 (2020 census), and more than half live on Tarawa atoll. Photo/Supplied

“For this reason [the cancelled visit], we are reviewing our development programme in Kiribati,” Peters said.

“The outcomes of that review will be announced in due course. Other aspects of the bilateral relationship may also be impacted.

“In the meantime, New Zealand stands ready, as we always have, to engage with Kiribati at a high level.”

While the Terms of Reference for the review are still being finalised, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has emphasised that no decisions will be made until the review is complete.

Current projects will not be affected in the meantime, and New Zealand has reiterated its commitment to the well-being of the i-Kiribati people.

Watch opposition leader, Tessie Lambourne's interview on Pacific Mornings following the election in August.

Broader implications for bilateral relations

For now, Kiribati remains part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, but Peters has not fully explained how the review will impact Kiribati’s eligibility under the Pacific Access Category as the Terms of Reference for the review are still being finalised.

PMN News understands that these will be completed soon.

“New Zealand is committed to working alongside our Pacific partners to ensure that the Pacific Access Category leads to positive outcomes for all parties,” Peters said.

“However, without open dialogue, it is difficult to meet this commitment.”

PMN News also understands that MFAT is still putting efforts in place for a high-level visit to Kiribati.