Kiribati returns to Pacific Island Forum whānau
New Zealand has welcomed the decision by Kiribati to return to the Pacific Islands Forum.
In July last year, President Taneti Maamau announced his government was withdrawing its support of the forum because it was not happy with its leadership. But this week, the Kiribati Government said the decision to return to the forum whānau came after a ‘‘fruitful, positive and successful’’ bilateral meeting between Maamau, forum secretary-general Henry Puna, and forum chairperson and Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta praised their efforts. ‘‘Aotearoa New Zealand looks forward to welcoming Kiribati back to the Pacific Islands Forum whānau,’’ she said.
Prior to the forum leaders’ summit in Fiji in July, which was attended by Mahuta and then prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Mahuta was criticised over her perceived inaction, particularly on China’s growing influence in the region. Maamau’s announcement last July stemmed from Micronesia’s disappointment over the appointment of Puna, former Cook Islands prime minister, in 2018. Leaders from Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia said the forum had dishonoured a ‘‘gentlemen’s agreement’’ under which it was Micronesia’s turn at the helm of the secretariat. Four of them pledged to remain in the forum.
The Chinese Government was accused by forum members and political commentators of being behind Kiribati’s withdrawal. China has rejected the claims.
China was also criticised over its security deal with the Solomon Islands early last year which allows Solomons’ Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to call on China for defence and security assistance.
Rabuka’s inaugural state visit to Kiribati last week has been hailed as a success. The Kiribati Government said Rabuka formally delivered an apology through a traditional ceremony.
The Kiribati Government suspended New Zealand judge Bill Hastings last year as chief judge of its High Court but this was unrelated to the withdrawal from the forum. Hastings had been critical of threats to the rule of law in Kiribati.