Niue

Introduction

Background

Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the adjacent Cook Islands, has caused it to be separately administered by New Zealand. The population of the island has trended downwards over recent decades (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to 1,618 in 2017) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest.

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: 213

Area - comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

64 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm

Climate

tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

Terrain

steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau

Elevation

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation 1.4 km east of Hikutavake 80 m

Natural resources

arable land, fish

Land use

agricultural land: 19.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 3.8% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 11.5% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 3.8% (2011 est.)
forest: 71.2% (2011 est.)
other: 9.7% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island

Natural hazards

tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues

increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

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

1,618(July 2017 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 living in New Zealand as in Niue, possibly the most eccentric population distribution in the world
country comparison to the world: 233

Nationality

noun: Niuean(s)
adjective: Niuean

Ethnic groups

Niuean 66.5%, part-Niuean 13.4%, non-Niuean 20.1% (includes 12% European and Asian and 8% other Pacific Islanders) (2011 est.)

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) 67%, other Protestant 3% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 1%, Presbyterian 1%, and Methodist 1%), Mormon 10%, Roman Catholic 10%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 6%, none 2% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.03% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Population distribution

population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island

Urbanization

urban population: 45.5% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 1.69% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1,000 ALOFI (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: NA (2018)
male: NA
female: NA

Life expectancy at birth

total population: NA (2017 est.)
male: NA
female: NA

Total fertility rate

NA

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 98.4% of population
rural: 98.6% of population
total: 98.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population
rural: 1.4% of population
total: 1.5% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

6.3% (2015)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2015 est.)
total: 100% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2015 est.)
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

50% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 6

Education expenditures

NA

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

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

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 the majority of 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 (2017)

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 Sir Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008)
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 12 May 2017 (next to be held in 2020)
election results: Toke TALAGI reelected premier; Legislative Assembly vote - Toke TALAGI (independent) 15, O'Love JACOBSEN (independent) 5

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 6 May 2017 (next to be held in 2020)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 20; composition - men 15, women 5, percent of women 25%

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

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

Economy - 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.01 million (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 228

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.01 million(2003) (2003)

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,800 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 23.5% (2003)
industry: 26.9% (2003)
services: 49.5% (2003)

Agriculture - products

coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle

Industries

handicrafts, food processing

Industrial production growth rate

NA

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: 159

Population below poverty line

NA

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 155

Exports

$201,400 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221

Exports - commodities

canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts

Imports

$9.038 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223

Imports - commodities

food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs

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: 214

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: 68

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: 215

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: 211

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7,252 Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213

Communications

Telephone system

general assessment: sole provider services for over 1000 landlines and fixed wireless lines; cellular telephone service operates on AMPS and GSM platforms; difficult geography presents challenges for rural areas (2018)
domestic: single-line (fixed line) telephone system connects all villages (and virtually all households) on island (2018)
international: country code - 683; landing point for the Manatua submarine cable linking Niue to several South Pacific Ocean Islands (2019)

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)

Internet country code

.nu

Internet users

total: 1,090
percent of population: 91.6% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222

Military and Security

Military and security forces

no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force (2019)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Transportation

Airports

1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 231

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Roadways

total: 234 km (2017)
paved: 210 km (2017)
unpaved: 24 km
country comparison to the world: 200

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Alofi

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Flag of Niue