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Official Name - Republic of Kiribati
Land Area - 811 sq km
Population -
100,000
Capital City - Bairiki, Tarawa
Religions - Roman Catholic (55%), Kiribati Protestant (41%)
Official Languages- I-Kiribati (also English)
Currency
- Australian Dollar
Exchange Rate - N/A
EEZ -
3.55 million sq km
Political system - An independent republic, Kiribati has a single chamber House of Assembly, or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu, with 44 elected members, one appointed MP to represent the Banaban community, and the Attorney General, who is an ex officio member.
National government - The President (Te Beretitenti), who is both head of government and head of state, is elected by popular vote from candidates nominated from within the Maneaba. The usual term of office is four years. President Anote Tong, first elected in 2003, has begun a second term after being re-elected last year. A person may not serve more than three terms as president.
National legislature - A single chamber House of Assembly or Maneaba ni Maungatabu. Cabinet comprises the President, vice-President, Attorney General and not more than 10 members of the Maneaba who are chosen by the President.
Last election - October 2007
Next election due - 2011
Head of State -
HE President Anote Tong
Head of Government -
HE President Anote Tong
Key Ministers
President, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
HE Anote Tong
Vice-President, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives
Hon (Ms) Teima Onorio
Minister of Finance and Economic Development
Hon Natan Teewe
Attorney General
Hon Titabu Tabane
Key Opposition MPs -
Teburoro Tito (ex-Kiribati President Oct-1994 to Mar-2003), Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa, Harry Tong (brother of President Tong)
Main political parties - Maurin te Maneaba Party (MMP), Boutokaan te Koua (Supporting the Truth) Party (BTK). Parties are loose groupings, as there is no tradition of formally organised political parties in Kiribati.
GDP - AUD$81.9 million (2006 est.)
GDP per capita - $3,600 (2007 est.)
Real GDP growth - Nil
Exports - A$ 5 million
Main Exports- Copra, fish, seaweed
Imports - A$85 million
Current account - Deficit upwards of $A30 million pa
Inflation -
Not calculated
Gross external debt - Public debt A$16,600 million, plus Bank of Kiribati loan
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$5.022 million (July 2009)
Main Exports - Wood products, prefabricated buildings, plastics
NZ Imports (CIF) -
NZ$11,000 (July 2009)
Formerly called the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati (pronounced Kee-ree-buhss) was first inhabited 3000 years ago, probably by people from the Caroline Islands region in west Micronesia. The first contact with Europeans was in 1606 when Spanish explorer Pedro Fernandez de Quiros landed on modern day Kiribati. In 1892 the then Gilbert and Ellice Islands (the latter now modern day Tuvalu) became a British protectorate, and Banaba (Ocean) Island was annexed in 1900 following the discovery of phosphate deposits.
While World War One largely bypassed the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Tarawa and Banaba felt the full brunt of Japanese occupation in World War Two. In the 1943 Battle of Tarawa, when United States marines regained control of Tarawa, there were over six thousand casualties. 4,713 Japanese and 1,677 American soldiers died.
The first moves towards self-government came in 1963 when the British authorities appointed Kiribati nationals to executive and advisory councils. In 1975 the Ellice Islands separated from the protectorate to become Tuvalu, achieving independence in 1978. By 1979 the sparsely populated Phoenix and Line Island groups joined the Gilbert Islands to become independent Kiribati.
The population is concentrated in the Gilbert Islands, to the west. The capital and urban centre in South Tarawa is densely populated and there is increasing concern about the impact of overcrowding and unsustainable development.
Kiribati nationals from Banaba Island also live on Fiji’s Rabi Island. After World War Two, the ruling British authorities relocated most of the Banaba Island population to Rabi Island, because of the ongoing phosphate mining. While around 450 people have returned to Banaba Island (and other areas of Kiribati), most - an estimated 5000 descendants - remain on Rabi.
Formerly called the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati (pronounced `Kiribas’) was first inhabited 3000 years ago, probably by people from the Caroline Islands region in west Micronesia. The first contact with Europeans was in 1606 when Spanish explorer Pedro Fernandez de Quiros landed on modern day Kiribati. In 1892 the then Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands (now modern day Tuvalu) became British protectorates, and Banaba (Ocean) Island was annexed in 1900 following the discovery of phosphate deposits.
While World War One largely bypassed the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Tarawa and Banaba felt the full brunt of Japanese occupation in World War Two. In 1943 the Battle of Tarawa, when United States marines regained control of Tarawa, was one of the bloodier campaigns of the war in the Pacific.
The first moves towards self-government came in 1963 when the British authorities appointed Kiribati nationals to executive and advisory councils. In 1975 the Ellice Islands separated from the protectorate to become Tuvalu, achieving independence in 1978. By 1979 the sparsely populated Phoenix and Line Island groups joined the Gilbert Islands to become independent Kiribati.
The population is concentrated in the Gilbert Islands, to the west. The capital and urban centre in South Tarawa is densely populated and there is increasing concern about the impact of overcrowding and unsustainable development.
Kiribati nationals from Banaba Island also live on Fiji’s Rabi Island. After World War Two, the ruling British authorities relocated most of the Banaba Island population to Rabi Island, because of the ongoing phosphate mining. While around 450 people have returned to Banaba Island (and other areas of Kiribati), most - an estimated 5000 descendants - remain on Rabi.
The President (Te Beretitenti) is both Head of State and Head of Government, and is elected by popular vote every four years. Presidential candidates are nominated from within the House of Assembly. The usual term of office is four years and individuals may only serve three terms.
The Assembly comprises 46 MPs – 44 elected, one appointed to represent the Banaba community and the Attorney General who is a member ex officio. Cabinet comprises the President, vice-President, Attorney General and no more than 10 others, selected by the President from within the Assembly.
In the most recent elections, in October 2007, incumbent Anote Tong was re-elected President.Kiribati is classified by the United Nations as a least developed country. The economic development of Kiribati is severely constrained by its dispersed and isolated atoll geography and narrow resource base. There is little potential for agricultural development, and limited fresh water supplies. Low-lying atolls are threatened by any substantial rise in sea levels. There is a minimal manufacturing sector and agriculture is predominantly subsistence. The major commercial activity is the harvesting of coconuts for domestic consumption and for the export of copra and coconut oil. The main source of formal employment is the public sector.
Exploitation of Kiribati’s extensive marine resources, primarily varieties of tuna (skipjack and yellowfin), is a major source of income for Kiribati through the licensing of foreign fishing vessels. Kiribati, like other Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members, also receives revenue from a mulitlaterial treaty signed with the United States and European Union. It has bilateral fisheries arrangements with Japan, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea and Spain. Fishing is also an important subsistence activity, and an estimated 80 percent of households make a living or survive through fishing.
The end of phosphate mining on Banaba Island in 1979 had a serious impact on the Kiribati economy. Reserves from the phosphate mining company were used in 1956 to establish a Trust fund, the Revenue Equalisation Reserve Fund (RERF), which now has a value of around A$580 million. The RERF is used to fund the annual fiscal deficit.
Rapid urban population growth, overcrowding and unsustainable development are taking their toll, particularly in South Tarawa where half the population lives. There are serious problems with potable water, sewerage and waste disposal, coastal erosion, over-fishing and health issues. Forty percent of the population is aged under 15, and the population is expected to double in the next 20 years, exacerbating these problems.
The Government of Kiribati has declared this area in the Phoenix Islands the largest marine protected area in the world, around 410,500 sq kilometres, or 11.7% of Kiribati’s EEZ. It contains bird life and coral reefs which are relatively untouched and are important to the world’s bio-diversity. Efforts are now being made to create a PIPA Endowment Trust fund to compensate Kiribati for fishing revenues that will be lost in the area, before steps are taken to ban commercial fishing in PIPA. The New Zealand Department of Conservation is assisting by getting rid of invasive species (rats and rabbits) in the main islands.
Kiribati is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Commonwealth, and the United Nations. Four countries, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Australia, New Zealand and Cuba have diplomatic representation in Tarawa, while Kiribati opened its first overseas diplomatic mission in Fiji in 2001. Kiribati established full diplomatic relations with Taiwan soon after President Tong was elected in 2003.
Kiribati has no defence treaties, and its key relationships are with Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Taiwan and Pacific Islands Forum states. It is also a member of the subregional group of Micronesian countries.
It is a member of the European Union grouping of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), the Asian Development Bank, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
NZAID’s bilateral assistance to Kiribati in 2009/10 is NZ$7 million. Kiribati faces significant challenges including limited land-based resources, lack of opportunity and urban population pressures on Tarawa. NZAID’s programme is focused on four key areas: a sustainable towns programme, better education outcomes, improved public sector performance and human resources development.
For further information about the Kiribati programme, see www.nzaid.govt.nz
Kiribati attracts between 3000 and 4000 visitors a year, mainly to the eastern Line Islands, and mainly from Hawaii, from where some cruise lines visit the area. Tourism is constrained by a lack of infrastructure, and by the isolation of the islands. The unique wildlife and fishing opportunities on Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island) in the east are the focus for tourism activity.
New Zealand and Kiribati have a strong and friendly bilateral relationship based on people to people links and a shared Pacific geography. There is a vibrant I-Kiribati community of over 2,000 people in New Zealand. Both countries share membership of regional and international organisations, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, and an interest in common issues such as development cooperation, maritime security, sustainability and climate change.
The establishment of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme between New Zealand and Pacific states is supporting the development of the relationship, as does the annual allocation of 75 residential permits under the Pacific Access Category. Under the RSE scheme Kiribati (and other Pacific Island Country) people may be recruited for temporary work in New Zealand in the horticulture and viticulture industries. More information about the RSE scheme, administered by the Department of Labour, can be found in the Pacific section of the Ministry’s website, www.mfat.govt.nz
Trade between Kiribati and New Zealand is limited, and can fluctuate widely from year to year. Key exports from New Zealand include timber and building supplies, machinery and medicaments. The Royal New Zealand Air Force assists Kiribati with maritime surveillance flights to help police its huge exclusive economic zone against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. At 3.55 million square kilometres, it is the second largest EEZ in the world.
New Zealand is represented in Kiribati through its High Commission in Tarawa.
The High Commissioner is HE Rob Kaiwai.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not issued a specific travel advisory for Kiribati. Links to other nations' advice, and New Zealand's Pacific regional advice, can be found at Safe Travel website [external link].
Enquiries may be directed to Consular Division at the following numbers: Phone: 04 494 8500: Fax: 04 494 8506.
