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Official Name - Republic of Kiribati
Land Area - 811 sq km
Population -
92,522 (2005 Census)
Capital City -
Bairiki, Tarawa
Religions
- Roman Catholic (55%), Kiribati Protestant (41%)
Official Languages- I-Kiribati (also English)
Currency
- Australian Dollar
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
Vice-President, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon (Ms) Teima Onorio
Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon Natan Teewe
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, HE Anote Tong
Attorney General, Hon Titabu Tabane
Key Opposition MPs - Teburoro Tito, Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa, Harry 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 -
A$77.2 million (approx)
GDP per capita -
A$961
Real GDP growth - Essentially static
Exports -
A$ 5 million
Imports - A$85 million
Main exports -
Copra, fish, seaweed
Current account - Deficit around A$30 million pa
Inflation -
Not circulated
Gross external debt - Public debt A$16,600 million, plus Bank of Kiribati loans
NZ Exports (FOB) -
NZ$4.3 million, year ended June 2007
Main Exports
-
Wood, pipes, books, dairy, plastics, machinery,
medicines
NZ Imports (CIF) -
NZ$17,000, year ended June 2007
Main Imports - Handicrafts
Services Trade - Labour
New Zealand's relations with Kiribati are warm, arising from people to people links and a shared Pacific geography.
Both countries share membership of regional and international organisations such as the Pacific Islands Forum, and an interest in common issues such as donor assistance, sustainability and climate change.
Trade between the two countries is limited. People to people ties are increasing through Kiribati and New Zealand's residential and seasonal work arrangements.
Formerly called the Gilbert Islands, Kiribati (pronounced “Kiribas”) was inhabited more than 3000 years ago, most 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 Quirós 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 movement towards self-government came in 1963 when the British appointed Kiribati nationals to executive and advisory councils. In 1975 the Ellice Islands became the independent state of Tuvalu achieving independence in 1978. By 1979 the sparsely inhabited 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 phospate mining. While around 500 people have returned to Banaba Island, most - an estimated 5000 descendants - remain on Rabi.
The President (Te Beretitenti), who is both head of government and head of state, 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 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.
The economic development of Kiribati is severely constrained by its dispersed and isolated atoll geography, and narrow resource base. Most land is owned by I-Kiribati, often in small fragmented holdings as a result of customary inheritance.
There is little potential for agricultural development, and limited fresh water supplies. Aquaculture may offer possibilities (there is a private clam aquaculture operation). 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 multilateral treaty signed 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 the 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 over A$600 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, as well as health issues.
Forty percent of the population is aged under 15, the population is expected to double in the next 20 years, exacerbating these problems. Kiribati is classified by the United Nations as a least developed nation.
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 percent of Kiribati 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 - 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. The key relationships are those with Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other Pacific Island 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), and Asian Development Bank, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
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 establishment of the Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme between New Zealand and Pacific states is supporting the development of the relationship, as does the annual allocation of residential permits (Pacific Access Category). Kiribati (and other PIC) 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
NZAID's assistance to Kiribati in 2007 - 2008 is NZ$3.5 million, which will increase to $6 million in the next F/Y. Kiribati faces 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
The Royal New Zealand Air Force assists Kiribati from time to time with overflights to help police its exclusive economic zone. At 3.55 million square kilometres, it is the second largest EEZ in the world.
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 off Kiritimati Island (Christmas Island) in the east, which has an air link between Hawaii and Fiji, is the focus for tourism.
Prime Minister Helen Clark attended the 31st Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Tarawa in 2000. In 1998, then Foreign Minister Don McKinnon led a large delegation for a brief visit. Then associate Pacific Island Affairs Minister Taito Phillip Field visited for the 25th independence anniversary celebrations in 2004.
President Anote Tong visited New Zealand for the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Auckland in 2003, and again met Prime Minister Helen Clark in 2006.
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 Safetravel website [external link].
Enquiries may be directed to Consular Division at the following numbers: Phone: 04 494 8500: Fax: 04 494 8506.
New Zealand is represented in Kiribati through its High Commission in Tarawa.
The High Commissioner is HE Craig Rickit.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NZAID, Statistics NZ, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia), Asian Development Bank: Kiribati National Statistics Office.
