NZ and Kiribati Launch Tech-Enabled Pacific Partnership Focused on Health, Climate Resilience

The Statement of Partnership formalises and expands cooperation in areas where technology and data-driven approaches are increasingly critical:

New Zealand and Kiribati today formalised a strengthened Pacific partnership that places innovation, digital resilience and people-centred technology at the heart of regional development, following the signing of a new Statement of Partnership in Tarawa.

Announced jointly by New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Kiribati Vice President Dr Teuea Toatu, the agreement marks a significant evolution in bilateral cooperation—moving beyond traditional diplomacy toward scalable, tech-enabled solutions for some of the Pacific’s most urgent challenges.

“This partnership recognises that shared geography demands shared innovation,” Mr Peters said. “New Zealand and Kiribati are building a future-focused collaboration that blends policy, technology and regional expertise to deliver real outcomes for communities.”

Innovation at the Core: Health, Water and Labour Mobility

The Statement of Partnership formalises and expands cooperation in areas where technology and data-driven approaches are increasingly critical:

• Digital health and prevention: New funding will support innovative approaches to tackling non-communicable diseases, alongside maternal and child health initiatives that leverage data, monitoring tools and scalable health systems.

• Climate and water security solutions: Increased investment through the Pacific Partnership for Atoll Water Security, in collaboration with the Pacific Community (SPC), will support climate-resilient water infrastructure—an area ripe for smart monitoring, remote sensing and low-cost desalination technologies.

• Tech-enabled labour mobility: Renewed backing for the Strengthening Pacific Labour Mobility programme will help more Kiribati workers access New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, opening pathways for digital skills transfer, remittance innovation and workforce platforms that connect Pacific talent with global demand.

A Strategic Signal for the Pacific Tech Ecosystem

The announcement follows months of high-level engagement between the two countries, including meetings with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau in Honiara and New York. It also comes amid growing regional focus on digital sovereignty, climate tech and secure infrastructure in the Pacific.

During talks in Tarawa, leaders underscored the role of the Pacific Islands Forum in enabling cooperation across a complex geostrategic landscape—one where innovation partnerships are increasingly central to resilience and growth.

“Being back in Tarawa has highlighted both the scale of Kiribati’s challenges and the opportunity for New Zealand, innovators and partners to contribute practical, forward-looking solutions,” Mr Peters said.

Call to Action: Pacific as a Living Lab for Impact Innovation

With funding commitments now in place, the partnership opens the door for technology firms, health innovators, climate-tech startups and data platforms to engage directly in Pacific-led solutions.

Early adopters—particularly those working in digital health, water security, workforce platforms and climate resilience—are encouraged to explore collaboration opportunities aligned with the partnership’s priorities.

As Mr Peters noted, this agreement is not only about diplomacy—it is about deploying innovation where it matters most.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister has now completed official visits to all 17 other members of the Pacific Islands Forum during the current Parliamentary term, reinforcing the Pacific’s growing importance as a hub for regional innovation and cooperation.