Pacific Affairs Minister witnesses divided factions at Kiribati independence celebrations

[Stacey King]

Kiribati's flag of independence. Pacific Scoop: Report – By Taberannang Korauaba.

Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Georgina te Heuheu, watched a little bit drama on Saturday during the Kiribati independence celebration in Orewa, north of Auckland.

A member of a Kiribati Waikato community group jumped to the centre of the hall challenging a member of another group to a fight with guests and people watching it helplessly.

The drama happened after a Kiribati man put forward a request to the Independence celebration organisers to change the programme to include the new Waikato Kiribati group, Kirikiriroa, in the day’s programme.

A senior member of the Kiribati Waikato Association objected to the request. Shouting followed, causing some members distress.

As the events unfolded, the National President – a member of the Kiribati Waikato Association – walked out of the hall leaving the minister and other guests behind.

The Kiribati missionary and Kiribati priest attempted to cool down members of the Kiribati Waikato Association but in vain.

Minister Georgina te Heuheu then delivered her speech amid a hostile and sensitive atmosphere. The Minister emphasised the importance of the role of whanau and community.

She also conveyed the Prime Minister’s congratulations to the Kiribati community in New Zealand on commemorating the 31st independence anniversary of their country.

The celebration recommenced after lunch at around 2pm. After a while, leaders met with their people to decide the fate of the two Kiribati groups in Waikato.

Vice president Etau Erika put forward two motions to the community; both Waikato communities would perform items; they should not perform items.

Leaders from Wellington, Pukehohe, Manurewa, Otahuhu, Waitakere and Rodney voted on behalf of their community.

There was a tie vote of 3 to 3. The vice president casted his vote in favor of the exclusion of the two Kiribati Waikato groups in the programme.

The council had earlier banned the Kirikiriroa group from participating in the independence celebrations.

When the crowd returned they couldn’t find an answer to this question; ‘why should we ban Kiribati people from performing items at a national day of their country?’

Division among Kiribati’s Waikato community appeared to have worsened in recent months. The groups had sought legal assistance to resolve their polarised positions.