Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Kiribati Vice President Dr Teuea Toatu announced New Zealand and Kiribati’s strengthened Pacific partnership.
“Building on our discussions with Kiribati’s President Taneti Maamau in Honiara and New York last year, today’s Statement of Partnership recognises our shared geography and history as Pacific nations,” Peters said.
“It also formalises the strong and long-established cooperation New Zealand and Kiribati enjoy – including in health, labour mobility and security.”
Peters and Kiribati Vice President Dr Teuea Toatu met in Tarawa to discuss the New Zealand-Kiribati relationship, shared regional and global interests, and the Pacific Islands Forum’s vital role in promoting cooperation amid a tough geostrategic landscape.
Peters, together with Vice President Toatu, also announced New Zealand’s additional commitment to preventing non-communicable diseases and supporting maternal and child health in Kiribati.
The announcement also includes boosted funding to tackle water security in Kiribati via the Pacific Partnership for Atoll Water Security, in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC).
It also involves renewed support for Kiribati under the Strengthening Pacific Labour Mobility programme, allowing more Kiribati workers to join New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.