A New Zealand-born Kiribati MP has come to her president's defence in the diplomatic row between Wellington and Tarawa, stating the "media manufactured drama", in which Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced a review of NZ aid to the Micronesian nation, is "disrespectful to Kiribati's sovereignty".

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 teacup: Kiribati, New Zealand and a misunderstanding over diplomacy”.

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.

One expert on Pacific relations has fired off against Winston Peters and claimed he's taking the wrong approach to Kiribati.

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 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 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 ...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — 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 ...