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Nauru Parliament Approves Rename to Indigenous “Naoero” Pending Referendum

5/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President David Adeang said parliament approved a constitutional amendment to rename Nauru “Naoero,” pending a referendum.
The government calls the current name a colonial relic and will replace it with the indigenous term “Naoero.”
The change will affect aircraft, ships, UN listings, and all official records and symbols.
Dorerin Naoero is spoken by most of the roughly 10,000 residents, while 80 % of the island is uninhabitable after mining.

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Story summary

President David Adeang said parliament approved a constitutional amendment to rename Nauru “Naoero,” pending a referendum.
The government calls the current name a colonial relic and will replace it with the indigenous term “Naoero.”
The change will affect aircraft, ships, UN listings, and all official records and symbols.
Dorerin Naoero is spoken by most of the roughly 10,000 residents, while 80 % of the island is uninhabitable after mining.