Asia & Pacific

Kiribati-New Zealand Relations Sour as Beijing Muscles In

New Zealand’s aid to the small Pacific nation is under review after a diplomatic slight to Foreign Minister Winston Peters, risking further CCP influence.
Kiribati-New Zealand Relations Sour as Beijing Muscles In
Deputy Prime Minister and NZ First Leader Winston Peters speaks to media at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Jan. 28, 2025. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ frustration over a last-minute snub by Kiribati’s President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau has led to a review of aid arrangements that risks pushing the small Pacific nation even closer to Beijing.

Peters had intended to visit every Pacific country early in the new government’s term, and was scheduled to meet with Maamau in Tarawa on Jan. 21–22, which would have been the first visit to the country by a New Zealand Foreign Minister in five years.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.