Nauru President David Adeang has reportedly walked out of the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting (PIF) amid questions about the appointment of the regional body's incoming secretary.
It's understood he walked out over leaders looking to revisit the selection of incoming PIF Secretary Baron Waqa, who was the former Nauru President.
Waqa was a controversial choice for the PIF general-secretary position given his past, including being investigated for taking bribes and his treatment of refugees.
The 52nd Pacific leaders' meeting is being held in the Cook Islands. Outgoing deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni and National's foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee are representing New Zealand at the forum.
The leaders are likely to debate the growing presence of China and the US in the region, as well as the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Right outside the meeting hall on Thursday, a small group of protesters gathered demanding Pacific leaders condemn what's going on in Gaza.
Last month, a majority of Pacific nations voted against a UN resolution to a ceasefire - siding with countries like the US and UK over New Zealand.
