There are indications of prehistoric migrations from South East Asia, but the present inhabitants of Kiribati descend mainly from a Samoan influx during the 13th to 15th centuries. Following European discovery, Kiribati came into contact with other Pacific islanders and the Chinese; traces of this intermixing remain in both the population and culture. Village government in Kiribati continues in the pre-colonial mode. In 1892, Kiribati became part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and was administered by the West Pacific High Commission in Fiji. The islands were occupied by
the Japanese during World War II, and were the site of some of the fiercest fighting between Japan and the USA.
The transition to independence began in 1963 with the formation of legislative and executive councils under the supervision of a British Governor General, who performed the functions previously exercised by the High Commissioner. The Legislative Council later evolved into the
Maneaba ni Maungatabu (see
Government section). In 1975, the Ellice Islands seceded from the main group to form the separate territory of Tuvalu. The remaining Gilbert Islands, along with a few smaller islands which the colonial authorities had tacked onto the group, became the independent republic of Kiribati in July 1979. Ieremia Tabai, a veteran of Kiribati politics, won the first three post-independence presidential elections, held in 1982, 1983 and 1987.
Constitutional restraints prevented him from standing at the election held in late 1991, but he continued to exert considerable influence on the Government through his successor, former Vice President Teatao Teannaki, until the latter was turned out of office in September 1994. The victor, Teburoro Tito, was a member of the
Maneaba Te Mauri (MTM), which had been in opposition to the dominant National Progressive Party (NPP), to which Tabai and Teannaki were both affiliated. Tito was re-elected at the election in November 1998. Simultaneous
Maneaba elections returned the MTM as the largest bloc once again, although independents continued to hold the balance of power.
The policy issues preoccupying Kiribati at present are economic and environmental. The weakness of the economy has led to what is widely seen as an over-dependence on foreign aid. The Government is also deeply concerned by the prospect of global warming as none of Kiribati’s land lies more than 2m above sea level. A further issue, that of overpopulation, has been tackled by resettling several thousand people – along with several hundred asylum seekers rejected by Australia – on the relatively remote Line Islands and Phoenix Islands.
GovernmentKiribati has a unicameral chamber legislature,
Maneaba ni Maungatabu, with 41 members: 39 of these are directly elected for four years; the Attorney-General is an ex-officio member; there is also a representative of the Banaban community (inhabitants of Ocean island). The
Beretitenti (president) is head of both state and government, and is also directly elected. The president appoints a cabinet from the incumbent members of the
Maneaba, with whom he shares executive power.
EconomyThe main agricultural crop is coconut, from which copra, the principal export commodity, is derived. Bananas, breadfruit and papayas are also produced, largely for domestic consumption. The local fishing industry has declined drastically, particularly after the closure of the state fishing company, but the sale of licenses to foreign fleets is an important source of government revenue. Despite its remoteness, Kiribati has managed to develop a tourism industry which now accounts for about one-fifth of GDP. The economy grew by 1.8% in 2006, while inflation hovered between 3 and 4%.
Kiribati remains heavily dependent on foreign aid and remittances from the many islanders of working age employed overseas. Kiribati is a member of the Pacific Community, the South Pacific Forum and the Asian Development Bank. Kiribati is also involved with various regional initiatives to promote economic development. Kiribati is one of the 14 signatories to the Pacific Islands Countries Trade Agreement, agreed in 2001, which plans measures to boost regional trade.
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