27 Aug 2008

New Zealand names high commissioner for Kiribati

12:13 pm on 27 August 2008

The New Zealand foreign minister, Winston Peters, says the next High Commissioner to Kiribati will be Robert Kaiwai.

Mr Kaiwai, who has a background in environmental issues, was previously deputy director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Middle East and Africa Division.

He will replace Craig Rickit in Kiribati and also be accredited to the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Mr Peters says New Zealand's relations with Kiribati have historically been warm.

He also says New Zealand will help Kiribati which faces some major sustainability challenges, including from overcrowding on Tarawa, and pressures on its drinking water supply.