[8] In response, Kiribati Education Minister Alexander Teabo claimed that Maamu was unavailable due to a scheduling conflict caused pre-planned Catholic religious event.

[10][7] New Zealand Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, Green Party Member of Parliament Ricardo Menéndez March and Australian National University Development Policy Centre fellow Terence Wood expressed concern that the suspension of New Zealand developmental aid to Kiribati was counter-productive and could lead the island nation to align closer with China, which Kiribati had established diplomatic relations with in 2019.

Iati compared Peter's actions unfavourably to Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles' decision to accept a meeting with Toatu in January 2025.

The President's Office rejected New Zealand media speculation that the cancellation was a snub, describing such claims as "misleading and unhelpful to diplomatic relations.

New Zealand's aid to Kiribati has focused on climate change mitigation particularly water and sanitation infrastructure, coastal protection, food security, renewable energy, health and economic development.

Between 2021 and 2024, New Zealand contributed NZ$102 million worth of health, education, fisheries, economic development, and climate resilience aid.

[12] Kiribati's economy is dependent on overseas money including foreign aid, fishing licenses, working remittances schemes and some limited tourism.