Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru: Big week for little nation

A cultural group from the Nauru Secondary School prepare to perform at the opening ceremony of the Pacific Islands Forum. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Herald photographer Jason Oxenham is in Nauru for the Pacific Islands Forum. Away from the formal business of the 49th annual summit of Pacific leaders, he got the chance to capture a little of daily life on the small Micronesian island of just 10,000 people and which for several years has relied on payments from Australia for hosting offshore detention centres to stay financially afloat.

Early morning sunrise in Nauru. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Typical transportation in Nauru. Photo / Jason Oxenham

A local sweeps the middle of the road, keeping up appearances during the Pacific Islands Forum. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The RNZAF plane passes the Nauru coastline before landing with dignitaries for the forum. Photo / Jason Oxenham

National flags in Nauru for the Pacific Islands Forum on the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru. Photo / Jason Oxenham