A New Zealand-born Kiribati MP has come to her president's defence in the diplomatic row between Wellington and Tarawa , stating the "media manufactured drama", in which Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced a review of NZ aid to the Micronesian nation, is "disrespectful to Kiribati's sovereignty". This week, Peters confirmed that Aotearoa was reviewing its development programmes - worth NZ$102 million between 2021and 2024 - to Kiribati due to the "lack of political-level contact". The NZ Deputy Prime Minister said he was turned down from meeting with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau, who is also the Foreign Minister, three times, with the most recent snub occurring this month, about a week before he was set to take a delegation to the island.
A spokesperson for the Minister told RNZ earlier this week that they were informed that Maamau was no longer available to receive Peters from 21 to 22 January. Kiribati's Education Minister Alexander Teabo told RNZ on Tuesday that Maamau had a pre-planned event to attend - the ordination of a Catholic priest - on his home island of Onotoa. However, that event was held on 11 to 12 January, before the planned visit from Peters.
On Wednesday, Peters told PMN's Pacific Mornings that the Pacific is "our backyard and we want to be a responsible partner". He added New Zealand has done its best to increase its assistance in the region and "all that's on the line now". However, Ruth Cross Kwansing, a first-time MP who joined President Taneti.
