5 Aug 2015

NZ remains concerned about Nauru

8:08 pm on 5 August 2015

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand remains deeply concerned about what it sees happening in Nauru and wants a resolution on the issue.

Five Opposition MPs have been suspended and are either facing criminal charges or have had their passports taken away.

Mr Key says New Zealand will have to make a decision in the next month on the next tranche of aid due for the country's justice sector which is funded by New Zealand.

He says New Zealand disagrees with Nauru about whether democracy is being applied fairly and lawfully, especially in the case of the opposition MP, Roland Kun, who has not been allowed to return to his family in New Zealand.

"But in the end we are sending as blunter a message as we can to the Nauruans that we expect there to be change."

Suspended Nauru MP Roland Kun with his family at home in New Zealand

Suspended Nauru MP Roland Kun with his family at home in New Zealand Photo: Supplied

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