Kiribati
Where can I find information about Kiribati?
(Years 5-8)
Image: Maneaba in Marakei, Kiribati by Rafael Ávila Coya on Wikimedia Commons.
Entry last updated: 25/07/25
Introduction
The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced 'Kiri-bas') is a country in the South Pacific Ocean that speaks English and Gilbertese (or I-Kiribati). Made up of 33 islands, Kiribati is home to the South Pacific's largest marine reserve.
There are many people who belong to the ethnic group of Kiribati living in New Zealand.
General websites
Here are some reliable websites with lots of facts, information and images on the islands of Kiribati. It includes information about the life, culture, economy and people in Kiribati.
This site is part of the Pacific Virtual Museum pilot project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia and put together by the National Library of New Zealand and the National Library of Australia.
Look down the page to Explore locations.
Choose Kiribati.
You can use Filter by and Media Type to only look at images, objects, videos, or audio.
Tips: Websites that have .org or .net in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About us link on the website, if you can find one. That can tell you what the organisation’s mission and values are.
Britannica School is one of the EPIC databases put together especially for schools in New Zealand. It covers lots of topics in science, history and countries of the world.
Choose the Primary level and put in your keyword 'Kiribati'.
Select the articles Kiribati (Island country in central pacific ocean) or Bairiki (Capital of Kiribati). Both are great links to read about the people and culture of Kiribati.
You can always select Reading Level 2 to read more detailed information.
Tips: To use the EPIC resources, you need a password from your school librarian. Or chat with one of our AnyQuestions librarians to help you online. Some EPIC databases may also be available through your public library.
Funded by NZ On Air, thecoconet.tv has lots of cultural information, songs, recipes, stories, news, and videos.
Use the keyword 'Kiribati' to search the site.
Choose something to read or watch eg Kiribati Independence Day.
Te Papa is New Zealand's National Museum. It has items in its collection from Kiribati, as well as articles.
Go to Discover the Collections at the top of the page.
In the drop down menu, select Read, watch, play.
Look down the page until you find Kiribati.
Choose a collection to find out more.
New Zealand connection
Besides trade, New Zealand and Kiribati have lots of connections in terms of shared geography, travel, tourism and development.
Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Te Ara is an excellent starting point for all questions about Aotearoa New Zealand. If we look down to the bottom of the page, we can see that the website belongs to the Ministry for Culture & Heritage, so the information is well-researched and reliable.
Use the search word 'Kiribati'.
Results will include Island groups and recent migration, which has information about Kiribati people living in New Zealand.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade | Manatū Aorere
This site helps us understand the relationships between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Select Countries & regions.
Choose Australia and Pacific.
Select Kiribati to read about how New Zealand and Kiribati work with each other.
Tips: We like sites like these because they’re reliable. You can tell because of their web address – they have either .govt or .ac, meaning they are from government or educational organisations. They’re also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.
Books
These are a few books with information on Kiribati as well as other islands in the south Pacific ocean.
The children of Micronesia by Jules Hermes.
Micronesia by Kate Galbraith, Glenda Bendure, Ned Friary.
Micronesia by Melanie Guile.
Saturday in Kiribati by Jill MacGregor.
Tareima's string by Jill MacGregor.
SCIS no. 5402592
