New Zealand’s government is reviewing its aid to Kiribati after the Pacific island nation’s leader snubbed a planned meeting with New Zealand’s foreign minister

The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancelation of a planned meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday last week between Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Winston Peters, Peters’ office said late on Monday.

New Zealand is reevaluating its development funding to Kiribati following a diplomatic incident where Kiribati President Taneti Maamau canceled a meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

Tensions between Western nations and Kiribati continue to strain after President Taneti Maamau refused to meet with senior ministers.