Will's Word: A Pacific partnership on the brink

Let's turn our attention to the relationship, or lack thereof, between New Zealand and Kiribati.

What on earth is going on there?

I don't know, maybe this is just my opinion, but it feels as though New Zealand's relationship with Kiribati is facing some challenges. And it comes at a time when, frankly, we should be strengthening ties with Pacific nations.

So this latest development raises some serious concerns. To bring you up to speed with it, if you're not aware, Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters was scheduled to visit Kiribati last week, I believe.

The first such visit, might I add, in five years, as part of his effort to connect more with Pacific countries.

But just before the trip, get this: Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau cancelled the meeting, leaving us, and by us I mean New Zealand, in a difficult position.

Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and NZ Deputy PM Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters. Photo/RNZ Pacific Koro Vaka'uta/NZ First Party

Now, maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the cancellation is more than just a missed opportunity. It could affect the ongoing co-operation between our two nations.

Might I add, Aotearoa has been a key partner to Kiribati in recent years, providing millions of dollars in aid for things like health, education, fisheries, climate resilience.

But without that kind of political-level engagement, it's harder to agree on priorities and make sure that New Zealand's aid is actually making a difference.

And, on top of this, there are also bigger issues at play, right? The growing influence of China in the Pacific.

China has been increasing its investment and aid to Kiribati, which means we, New Zealand, are now competing for influence in a region that is becoming more important geopolitically.

Listen to Will's Word below.

So this is just classic geopolitics at play, I reckon.

But it leaves New Zealand in a compromising position, because, well, what on earth do we do? Where do we go to from here?

That is the question that Winston Peters now faces. What happens to our relationship with Kiribati? Is it at risk?

That's Will's Word.