Nauru

The Republic of Nauru is the world's smallest republic by both population – 11,000 residents – and geography – a 21km2 island.

New Zealand and Nauru have a relationship based on common interests in the Pacific region, such as security, fisheries, regional trade and development. 

Both countries are members of the Pacific Islands Forum(external link), have deployed personnel to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and are signatories to the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus.

Aid and sustainability

New Zealand’s ambition for Nauru is a well-governed and resilient country that contributes to the stability and standing of the Pacific region.

To achieve this, our engagement is focused on economic resilience and regional values. 

We work with Nauru to build capacity to address sustainable development challenges, including building an efficient and effective public sector, effectiveness of democratic institutions, and increasing economic and social benefits from being an effective labour sending country.

Trade and economic 

Nauru's economy traditionally relied heavily on its phosphate resources, and in recent history Nauru has seen times of both great prosperity and severe financial distress.

During the 1970s, Nauru was one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita. With the depletion of easily mined phosphate in the 1990s, Nauru got into serious debt. 

This led the Government of Nauru to ask the Pacific Islands Forum for assistance. The result was the Pacific Regional Assistance to Nauru (PRAN) initiative, which provided budgetary support to Nauru. New Zealand contributed to this initiative.

Today income from the granting of fishing licences and the hosting of refugees and asylum-seekers are the country’s key sources of revenue. 

Through Forum Fisheries Agency operations New Zealand contributes air force and navy assets to assist Nauru to monitor its Exclusive Economic Zone.

The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with Nauru is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).