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Niue Country Information

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Travel Advice with Country Information from the CIA.

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Niue Map

Introduction

Background

Voyagers from Samoa first settled on Niue around A.D. 900 and a second main group of settlers came from Tonga around 1500. With only one reliable source of fresh water, conflict was high on the island. There was continued contact with both Samoa and Tonga, and customs from those islands heavily influenced Niuean culture, including the formation of an island-wide kingship system in the early 1700s. These kings, or patu-iki, were elected by Niueans. In 1774, British explorer James COOK abandoned attempts to land on the island after several unsuccessful tries, and he named it Savage Island because of the warlike appearance of the Niueans. Missionaries arrived in 1830 but were also largely unsuccessful at staying on the island until 1846, when a Niuean trained as a Samoan missionary returned to the island and provided a space from which the missionaries could work. In addition to converting the population, the missionaries worked to stop the violent conflicts between Niueans and helped establish the first parliament in 1849.

In 1889, King FATAAIKI and other chiefs asked the UK for protectorate status, a request that was repeated in 1895. The UK finally agreed in 1900 and King TOGIA-PULU-TOAKI formally ceded Niue that year. In 1901, Niue was annexed to New Zealand and included as part of the Cook Islands. Niue’s remoteness and cultural and linguistic differences with the Cook Islands led New Zealand to separate Niue into its own administration in 1904. The island became internally self-governing in 1974; it is an independent member of international organizations, but is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for defense and foreign affairs.

Economic opportunities in Niue are sparse. The population has trended downwards over recent decades, with substantial emigration to New Zealand. In 2004, a cyclone destroyed much of the southern part of the capital, Alofi, and left about 15% of the population homeless. Many chose not to rebuild and instead moved to New Zealand (2,400 km to the southwest), where approximately 90% of all ethnic Niueans live.

Geography

Location

Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga

Geographic coordinates

19 02 S, 169 52 W

Map references

Oceania

Area

total: 260 sq km

land: 260 sq km

water: 0 sq km

country comparison to the world: 212

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

64 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Terrain

steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau

Elevation

highest point: unnamed elevation 1.4 km east of Hikutavake 80 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Land use

agricultural land: 19.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 3.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 11.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 71.2% (2018 est.)

other: 9.7% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones

Geography - note

one of world's largest coral islands; the only major break in the surrounding coral reef occurs in the central western part of the coast

People and Society

Population

2,000 (July 2021 est.)

note: because of the island's limited economic and educational opportunities, Niueans have emigrated for decades - primarily to New Zealand, but also to Australia and other Pacific island states; Niue's population peaked in 1966 at 5,194, but by 2005 had fallen to 1,508; since then it has rebounded slightly; as of 2013, 23,883 people of Niuean ancestry lived in New Zealand - with more than 20% Niue-born; this means that there are about 15 times as many persons of Niuean ancestry living in New Zealand as in Niue, possibly the most eccentric population distribution in the world

country comparison to the world: 231

Nationality

noun: Niuean(s)

adjective: Niuean

Ethnic groups

Niuean 65.4%, part-Niuean 14%, non-Niuean 20.6% (2017 est.)

note: data represent the resident population

Languages

Niuean (official) 46% (a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 est.)

Religions

Ekalesia Niue (Congregational Christian Church of Niue - a Protestant church founded by missionaries from the London Missionary Society) 61.7%, Church of Jesus Christ 8.7%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Jehovah's Witness 2.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.2%, none 8.9% (2017 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Niue

former: Savage Island

etymology: the origin of the name is obscure; in Niuean, the word supposedly translates as "behold the coconut"

note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Dependency status

self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue

Capital

name: Alofi

geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W

time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order

Independence

19 October 1974 (Niue became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)

National holiday

Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)

Constitution

history: several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974)

amendments: proposed by the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and approval by at least two-thirds majority votes in a referendum; passage of amendments to a number of sections, including Niue’s self-governing status, British nationality and New Zealand citizenship, external affairs and defense, economic and administrative assistance by New Zealand, and amendment procedures, requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and at least two thirds of votes in a referendum; amended 1992, 2007; note - in early 2021, the constitution review committee of the Assembly requested suggestions from the public about changes to the constitution

Legal system

English common law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Patricia Lee REDDY (since 28 September 2016); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Kirk YATES (since May 2018)

head of government: Premier Dalton TAGELAGI (since 10 June 2020)

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the premier

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; premier indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly for a 3-year term; election last held on 10 June 2020 (next to be held in 2023)

election results: Dalton TAGELAGI elected premier; Legislative Assembly vote - Dalton TAGELAGI (independent) 13, O'Love JACOBSEN (independent) 7; Toke TALAGI lost his seat in election

Legislative branch

description: unicameral Assembly or Fono Ekepule (20 seats; 14 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 6 directly elected from the National Register or "common roll" by majority vote; members serve 3-year terms)

elections: last held on 30 May 2020 (next to be held on 2023)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 20

Judicial branch

highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the final appeal court beyond the Niue Court of Appeal

judge selection and term of office: Niue chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68

subordinate courts: High Court

note: Niue is a participant in the Pacific Judicial Development Program, which is designed to build governance and the rule of law in 15 Pacific island countries

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Independents or AI
Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

Flag description

yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross; the larger star stands for Niue, the smaller stars recall the Southern Cross constellation on the New Zealand flag and symbolize links with that country; yellow represents the bright sunshine of Niue and the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand

National symbol(s)

yellow, five-pointed star; national color: yellow

National anthem

name: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven)

lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA

note: adopted 1974

Economy

Economic overview

The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories for processing passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue.

Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half.

The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses.

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.01 million (2003 est.)

country comparison to the world: 227

Real GDP growth rate

6.2% (2003 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

Real GDP per capita

$5,800 (2003 est.)

country comparison to the world: 166

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.01 million (2003) (2003)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2005)

country comparison to the world: 165

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 23.5% (2003)

industry: 26.9% (2003)

services: 49.5% (2003)

Agricultural products

coconuts, taro, fruit, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit, yams, vegetables, lemons, limes, bananas

Industries

handicrafts, food processing

Industrial production growth rate

Labor force

663 (2001)

country comparison to the world: 230

Labor force - by occupation

note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board

Unemployment rate

12% (2001)

country comparison to the world: 165

Population below poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Budget

revenues: 15.07 million (FY04/05)

expenditures: 16.33 million (FY04/05)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-12.6% (of GDP) (FY04/05)

country comparison to the world: 215

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

Exports

$201,400 (2004 est.)

country comparison to the world: 224

Exports - partners

Indonesia 92%, South Korea 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities

tanker ships, fruit juice, thermostats, textiles, measurement devices/appliances (2019)

Imports

$9.038 million (2004 est.)

country comparison to the world: 226

Imports - partners

New Zealand 43%, United Kingdom 30%, Japan 22% (2019)

Imports - commodities

hydraulic engines, ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastics (2019)

Debt - external

$418,000 (2002 est.)

country comparison to the world: 202

Exchange rates

New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -

1.416 (2017 est.)

1.4279 (2016 est.)

1.4279 (2015)

1.4279 (2014 est.)

1.2039 (2013 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production

3 million kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 216

Electricity - consumption

2.79 million kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2,300 kW (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 213

Electricity - from fossil fuels

87% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 65

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 191

Electricity - from other renewable sources

13% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 67

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 184

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 177

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 178

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 179

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 187

Refined petroleum products - consumption

50 bbl/day (2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 214

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 189

Refined petroleum products - imports

54 bbl/day (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 210

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 185

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

country comparison to the world: 179

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1,000 (2018)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 61.77 (2018)

country comparison to the world: 218

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: sole provider service for over 1000 landlines and fixed wireless lines; cellular telephone service operates on AMPS and GSM platforms; difficult geography presents challenges for rural areas; mobile is primary source of Internet access; mobile broadband demand is growing due to mobile services (2020)

domestic: single-line (fixed line) telephone system connects all villages on island; fixed teledensity at nearly 62 per 100 (2018)

international: country code - 683; landing point for the Manatua submarine cable linking Niue to several South Pacific Ocean Islands; expansion of satellite services (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadcast media

1 government-owned TV station with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 government-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2019)