The Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs have 5 divisions with each of these divisions have their own goal and mission.

Adminstration and Policy Division is the management and coordination body with a sole role to implement activities of the MSP within the approved Budget and Timeframe to achieve political and development aspirations. As a front operator of corporate services and administrator of the Budget, the APD must ensure that Divisional Workplans or DOPs are updated and aligned to the Ministry Strategic Plan and allocated financial resources. They must ensure of the Ministry’s smooth operation too, that the public services are not hindered from time to time, including services to support operation of line ministries and those delivered by the Island Councils. The APD works closely with other departments within the MCIA and line ministries to address public complaints and ensure compliance to Kiribati laws and policies at both the national and international levels. This means that the APD takes on the burden to ensure that the local communities are served with passion and compassion to enjoy a healthy, resilient, peaceful and prosperous life. 

The Local Government Division (LGD) is mandated to support the Local Governments role in ensuring that local communities are well looked after in terms of their needs, interests and values. The division is required to assist Local Governments in delivering public services and to enable democratic decision-making and action by, and on behalf of communities to advance social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities now and in the future. It fulfills this mandate by managing, facilitating, supporting and strengthening local governance, through the provision of advisory services, technical support and capacity building of Council Leaders and Officials. Additionally, introducing good governance principles through compliance auditing and enforcement of the Local Government Act and related legislations are also measures to support local governments deliver transparent, effective and efficient public services. The department also implements effective management of Government assets on outer islands and maintains peace and security through the enforcement of the Liquor and Kava Acts. The Division is also responsible for Management of Urbanization Issues as well as the management of the Health and Police Services Improvement Fund (HPSIF). Therefore, the LDG is not only obligated to strengthening capacity and capability of the Local Governments but also ensuring that the local communities are healthy, resilient and enjoying a peaceful and prosperous life. 

The Rural Planning Division provides technical support and advice on the planning and management of LED projects for all Island Councils to enhance the local communities’ welfare and wellbeing. The division’s main responsibilities include the coordination and facilitation of urban and rural development activities. The RPD is obligated to implement policies and legislation that must lead to sustainable urban and rural development. With a role as such, the end-result is centered on people; to improve living conditions and reduce poverty to address rural-urban migration. For such, effective management of Island Council development projects demands a robust M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) and Reporting Framework which the division is implementing in close collaboration with all Island Councils, the MFED and MFAI. In addition, the division is also responsible for managing the Village Banks (a scheme that provides micro-loans to villagers for a range of purposes, both commercial and personal) to provide options for a better and prosperous life. Thus, the RPD has a significant role in ensuring that communities are healthy, resilient and enjoying a peaceful and prosperous life.

The Culture and Museum Division is responsible to protect, preserve and promote (PPP) the Kiribati culture to uphold our unique cultural identity with pride in relation to the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. As the saying goes, no human life can be sustained without their roots. This core value of life mandates CMD to espouse the theme of “The Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Kiribati Culture and Heritage” through safeguarding and enhancing I-Kiribati social and cultural values. The Division plays a very crucial role in the implementation of the KV20 to safeguard and promote our tangible and intangible cultural and historical heritages. With such an obligation, CMD does not only protect and sustain I-Kiribati roots, but also ensures them a healthy, resilient, peaceful and prosperous life. 

The Election Division focuses on improving Election for both the Central and Local Governments so that every I-Kiribati voice is heard. This includes the election of the President, Members of Parliament, Mayors and Councilors. The objective of an election is to ensure fair representation and to allow citizens to exercise their right to have a say in the leadership and governance of their society. Elections serve several important objectives such as Representation whereby Elections allow citizens to choose their representatives to make decisions and create policies that reflect their interests, values, and needs. Overall, the objective of an election is to uphold democratic principles, ensure fair representation, and provide a mechanism for citizens to participate in shaping the governance of their society. Hence, the Election Division plays a critical role in determining not only the political arena, but also the economic; environmental; health and social cultural aspects of Kiribati citizens’ life for now and the future.