New Zealand holds firm on suspension of aid to Nauru

The New Zealand government is standing by its decision to suspend its 1.2 million Australian dollars in aid to Nauru's justice sector despite protests from the Pacific nation the action was uncalled for.

New Zealand (NZ) Prime Minister John Key and Foreign Minister Murray McCully reiterated their view the hold on aid - announced last week - was correct given the concerns surrounding the deterioration in the rule of law in Nauru

The NZ government is concerned about the fate of Nauruan opposition MP Roland Kun, who is one of three MPs suspended from parliament for giving interviews with foreign media criticizing the government, local media reported.

Kun's passport was confiscated which prevented him from reuniting with his wife and three children in New Zealand.

"New Zealand's position is pretty clear, what we see happening in that sector is not meeting standards we would expect," Key told reporters at the Pacific Islands Forum in Papua New Guinea.

Nauru President Baron Waqa furiously denied the accusation that Kun was being held as a political prisoner, however he said the MP 's passport would not be returned - despite not being charged with an offense - until investigations are finalized.

Nauru Justice Minister David Adeang has accused New Zealand of trying to undermine his country's sovereignty.

New Zealand is willing to continue talks with Nauru aimed at resolving the stalemate however McCully said assurances from Nauru 's leaders a year ago that improvements would be made haven't come to fruition.

McCully is expected to meet with Waqa and Adeang on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit. Endi