Kiribati president in NZ for talks
Updated
![Anote Tong will talk with the NZ prime minister about a migration plan for his low lying nation, threatened by rising sea levels. [ABC]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/kiribati_pres_tong_abc_0608.jpg "Anote Tong will talk with the NZ prime minister about a migration plan for his low lying nation, threatened by rising sea levels. [ABC]")
Anote Tong will talk with the NZ prime minister about a migration plan for his low lying nation, threatened by rising sea levels. [ABC]
Kiribati's president, Anote Tong, is in New Zealand on a state visit.
TVNZ reports President Tong will be talking to New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, about a migration plan for his low lying island nation because of the threat of rising sea levels.
Some communities on Kiribati's 32 coral atolls have already relocated.
Most of the population live on land barely two metres above sea level.
Mr Tong says the people of Kiribati would be happy to relocate to other Pacific countries, including New Zealand.
He says a gradual process of migration needs to start soon, beginning with those with skills.
TVNZ says at this stage any Kiribati relocation plan is being met with guarded enthusiasm by New Zealand.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the country has a quota for Kiribati migrants, and if the worst happens the small Kiribati communities in New Zealand may grow.
