Christopher Luxon is defending the Government's handling of the stand-off with Kiribati, suspending the aid to the Pacific Island nation after radio silenc

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.

The visit by New Zealand's foreign minister "was cancelled by NZ itself" but blame is falling on Kiribati's president, a Cabinet minister in Taaneti Maamau's government says.

The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancelation of a planned meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday last week between Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Winston Peters, Peters’ office said late on Monday.

The New Zealand government is reconsidering its aid program with Kiribati after the president canceled a planned meeting with the New Zealand foreign minister. This development may strain relations and impact both bilateral ties and visa allocations for Kiribati citizens seeking seasonal work in New Zealand.

Kiribati has defended its last-minute decision to call off a meeting between President Taneti Maamau, Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, a snub that prompted New Zealand to put its aid for Kiribati under review.

Kiribati is one of the world's most aid-dependent countries, but relations with Western nations have grown tense since it aligned with China in 2019

New Zealand is reconsidering all development funding to the aid-dependent island nation of Kiribati, following a diplomatic snub from the island nation's leader, government officials said Monday.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand is reconsidering all development funding to the aid-dependent island nation of Kiribati, following a diplomatic snub from the island nation’s leader ...

The Foreign Minister has hit back at comments by a Kiribati government minister that the island nation's leader failed to receive him because of pre-planned commitments.

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.