Taneti Maamai, left, and Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ
A geopolitical Pacific expert says it's strange that the media were informed of New Zealand's review of aid to Kiribati in instead of diplomats.
Last week, Winston Peters announced that New Zealand's government is rethinking development support to the country after the Kiribati President Taneti Maamau withdrew a week before a planned visit.
New Zealand gave Kiribati NZ$102 million from 2021 to 2024.
"In the diplomatic world, grievances are handled with the exchange of letters and most likely the two parties involved will resolve the matter amicably. However, this was not the case and is very unfortunate," the Kiribati government in a statement Monday morning said.
Victoria University's international relations programme senior lecturer Iati Iati told RNZ Pacific that it was unusual how the issue played out, "especially for the Pacific where the process of talanoa is of utmost importance."
"For this to come to the media, not through discussion by the diplomats and the ministers themselves, it would come as a shock to Pacific Island countries and Kiribati, especially."
The Kiribati government said it was New Zealand who proposed the date of the visit on 21-22 January and also pulled out.
However, Peters last week said it was Maamau who set the date.
Victoria University's Nanai Anae Dr Iati Iati. Photo: VUW
Iati feels Peters made a big mistake.
"It was ill-advised and unwise," he said, adding that "All New Zealand had to do was for Peters to be a bit more humble and accept a meeting with the Vice President [Dr Teuea Toatu].
"Australia had done it a few days a week prior, with [Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard] Marles, and keep in mind the Australians give at least double the aid to Kiribati that New Zealand does, so if anyone had a reason to feel like they shouldn't meet with Kiribati it probably would have been the Australians."
Iati said that he was surprised for it to come from Peters, someone with respect in the region and has a matai title from Samoa.
"For him to turn around and do this, it is not only a signal to Kiribati that New Zealand lacks the understanding that it says it has, but as a signal to other Pacific countries that New Zealand might not have the understanding of the Pacific that it claims to have."
In response to the Kiribati government, a spokesperson for Peters said Kiribati was the only Pacific Island Forum member that New Zealand was unable to engage with in 2024.
"We hope that high-level contact with Kiribati will be possible in the coming months, whether in New Zealand, Kiribati or elsewhere in the region. We will continue to work with Kiribati to try and make that happen," they said.
Meanwhile the statement from the Kiribati government said: "Despite this media issue, the strong bonds between Kiribati and New Zealand will enable a resolution to this unfortunate standoff for the benefit of both countries and their peoples."
Iati said the success of restoring the relationship was up to Peters, adding that Kiribati has one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the world, making it an important strategic country for any nation that wants to engage in the region.
