Kiribati

New Zealand and Kiribati have a long-standing and friendly bilateral relationship based on people to people links and a shared Pacific geography.

Kiribati has emerged as a leading voice within the Pacific on climate change issues and has increased its profile on regional and international issues, such as regional fisheries management and conservation.

New Zealand opened their High Commission to Kiribati in 1989 and is one of a select few countries with a fully staffed, resident diplomatic mission in Tarawa, Kiribati.

Development cooperation and sustainability

With an average elevation of just 1.8 metres, Kiribati is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to the impacts of climate change.

Kiribati is likely to face severe flooding and coastal inundation, more frequent drought and water salination, and significant reduction in its valuable tuna stocks.

New Zealand is one of the largest aid donors to Kiribati and works closely with the government and people of Kiribati to overcome these challenges.

National priorities to respond to climate change largely relate to water and sanitation, coastal protection, food security, and renewable energy.

Our engagement with Kiribati also focuses on health, the economy, and climate change.

The latest information on our development cooperation activities, including activity details and descriptions, start and end dates, geographic and sectoral focus, expenditure figures, is available at DevData(external link).

People and culture

There is a vibrant I-Kiribati community in New Zealand.

Each year, a number of Kiribati citizens are granted New Zealand residency through the Pacific Access Category visa.

Kiribati citizens can also participate in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which creates mutual benefit for New Zealand's horticulture sector and for the workers’ families and communities.

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme provides tertiary and short-term training scholarships to Kiribati scholars.

Trade and investment

Kiribati is categorised as a low-income country by the World Bank and is one of just three least-developed countries in the Pacific region.

The Government of Kiribati’s 20-Year Vision 2016 – 2036 identifies Kiribati’s main potential as lying in its people and prioritises the development of a globally competitive (and mobile) human resource base as critical to the country’s development trajectory.

Fisheries will continue to be Kiribati’s primary source of revenue, a sector in which New Zealand is a key partner.

Both New Zealand and Kiribati have ratified the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus) which entered into force on 13 December 2020.

The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with Kiribati is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

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