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Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has hit out at claims from the Kiribati president and foreign minister, Taneti Maamau, that his now cancelled trip to the central Pacific Island nation clashed with a pre-existing commitment.
The Government is still finalising its terms of reference for a review of its aid programme in Kiribati, after Peters paused funding. He cited a “lack of political contact” from the central Pacific island nation.
New Zealand’s development cooperation with Kiribati totalled $102 million from 2021-2024, with investments in health, education, fisheries, economic development, and climate resilience.
It came after Peters said Maamau cancelled a trip planned for January 21-22. Maamau has since told reporters that Peters’ trip clashed with another commitment, but Peters said it was not a plausible explanation.
“I don’t buy it because it was the ... president who set the date 21, 22 January. Now, if he set the date, then how can can the pre book statement be correct?”
Officials had for months been working to meet leaders from Kiribati but faced “repeated rebuffs”, a source explained, and Peters on Monday night revealed he was going to review aid to the country.
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