Opposition concerned by diplomatic row between New Zealand government and the Cook Islands

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he is very concerned about the "rapidly deteriorating relationship" between the government and the Cook Islands. It comes as Cook Islands Prime Minister...

NZ-born Kiribati MP defends Taneti Maamau over Winston Peters snub

Ruth Kwansing, right, with Taneti Maamau, middle, in a post-election meeting on 26 October 2024. Photo: Facebook / Ruth Cross Kwansing New Zealand cancelled its visit to Kiribati because Winston Peters specifically wanted to meet with President...

NZ-Kiribati fallout: A ‘Pacific way’ perspective on the Peters spat

A NZ-born Kiribati member of Parliament, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has tried to bring in some Pacific common sense into the diplomatic tiff between her country and Aotearoa New Zealand. Her original title on her social media posting was “A storm in a...

New Zealand-born Kiribati MP defends Taneti Maamau over snub of Winston Peters

Ruth Kwansing, right, with Taneti Maamau, middle, in a post-election meeting on 26 October 2024. Photo: Facebook / Ruth Cross Kwansing New Zealand cancelled its visit to Kiribati because Winston Peters specifically wanted to meet with President...

Letter: Prime Minister Brown’s China visit

Dear Editor, Noting the recent media coverage of the Prime Minister’s upcoming travel to China; why aren’t officials sharing any details of his travel or the benefit it will bring to the Cook Islands? You have to ask why is such a secretive...

New Zealand’s aid for Kiribati under review after meeting cancelled with…

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s aid for Kiribati is being reviewed after its President and Foreign Minister cancelled a meeting with him. Terms of Reference for the review are still being finalised, and it...

‘Not a snub’: Kiribati MP defends her leader amid fallout with NZ

Kiribati is calling for renewed understanding with New Zealand following escalating tensions over a postponed meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, voiced disappointment over his cancelled...

New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit, says Kiribati

Taneti Maamau, left, and Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ/25020201 The Kiribati government, has for the first time, commented on its diplomatic rift with Aotearoa, stating that the "New Zealand government cancelled its own proposed visit". Last week,...

China's international development cooperation does not impose political condition, makes no empty promises: official

Reports of "small and beautiful" projects and green development assistance projects, the fifth and sixth issues in the "International Development Cooperation: China's Practice" series, are released by CIDCA on February 11, 2025, in Beijing. (Zhang...

Winston Peters regrets publicity surrounding cancelled Kiribati visit

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister regrets the publicity surrounding his cancelled diplomatic meeting in Kiribati but insists they made strong efforts to ensure it took place. Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Vaovasamanaia...

Winston Peters’ handling of Kiribati relations criticised by Pacific expert

A geopolitical Pacific expert says it’s strange that the media were informed of New Zealand’s review of aid to Kiribati instead of diplomats. Last week, Winston Peters announced that New Zealand’s government is rethinking development support to...

New Zealand's aid for Kiribati under review after meeting cancelled with Winston Peters

Winston Peters had been due to meet with the president and foreign minister of Kiribati last Tuesday and Wednesday. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand's aid for Kiribati is being reviewed after its...

NZ aid for Kiribati under review after meeting cancelled with Peters

RNZ Pacific Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s aid for Kiribati is being reviewed after its President and Foreign Minister cancelled a meeting with him last week. Terms of Reference for the review are still being...

NZ-Kiribati fallout: Maamau’s inability to engage with NZ difficult to defend

COMMENTARY: By Barbara Dreaver, 1News Pacific correspondent There has rightly been much debate and analysis over New Zealand’s decision to review the aid it gives to Kiribati. It’s a big deal. So much is at stake, especially for the I-Kiribati...

A new addiction

When Cameron McLeod drank his first half coconut shell of muddy brown earthy-smelling kava in 2002, he knew it would taste bad. “But it tasted way worse than I thought it was going to taste,” he said, with a laugh. However, “the effect was almost...

Fiji, Kiribati strengthen ties

Kiribati President Taneti Maamau (left), Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka [Source: Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ Facebook] Fiji and Kiribati reaffirmed cooperation in key areas during a high-level meeting...

Analysis: Kiribati inability to engage with NZ is difficult to defend

Analysis: There has rightly been much debate and analysis over New Zealand’s decision to review the aid it gives to Kiribati. It’s a big deal. So much is at stake, especially for the I-Kiribati people who live with many challenges and depend on...

CNMI governor says federal memo on funding freeze a ‘wake-up call’ for states and territories

The governments of Nauru and Kiribati have signed an agreement aimed at boosting their aviation sector. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the presidents of both Micronesian nations on 01 February, according to a statement from the Nauru...

New Zealand reviews aid to Kiribati amid diplomatic tensions

New Zealand is reassessing its development aid to Kiribati after President Taneti Maamau canceled a scheduled meeting with Foreign Minister Winston Peters. This move has strained relations between the two nations, with New Zealand expressing...

Nauru and Kiribati sign agreement to boost air connectivity

Nauru and Kiribati presidents, Taneti Maamau, left, and David Adeang signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance aviation cooperation between their governments, on 1 February 2025. Photo: Facebook / The Government of the Republic of Nauru The...