Pacific Magazine > 2007 Pacific Almanac
Niue
The Basics
Population: 1,625 (2006 census)
Capital: Alofi
Land Area: 259 sq. km.
Political Status and Form of Government: Self-governing in free association with New Zealand, parliamentary democracy
Languages: Niuean, English
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Number of Islands: One of the world’s largest coral islands
The Numbers
Gross Domestic Product: NZ$17.25 million (US$12.37 million) (2003)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: NZ$10,048 (US$7,208) (2003)
Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: -0.032% (2007 est.)
National Budget: NZD$23.414million (US$16.4 million) (2006)
Aid per capita: Total aid: NZ$6.9 million (2006/07 recurrent)
Life Expectancy: Male: 70.1 years Female:
Ethnicity: Niuean 78.2%, other Pacific Islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, other 3% (2001 census)
Nationality: Niuean
Age Distribution:0-14 years: 30%, 15-64 years: 56%, 65+: 14%
Population Growth Rate: 0.01% (2006 est.)
People in Power
Head of Government: Premier Young Vivian
Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II
Cabinet Members: All Cabinet ministers have multiple responsibilities and portfolios. Premier Young Vivian, Finance; Fisa Igilisi Pihigia, Health; Bill Vakaafi Motufoou, Agriculture; Va’aiga Paotama Tukuitonga, Education.
Representative Body: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats)
Regional Organizations
ACP, FAO, FFA, IFAD, OPWC, PIF, SOPAC, SOPAC, Sparteca, SPC, SPREP, SPTO, UNESCO, USP, WCPFC, WHO, WMO
Media & Internet Service Providers
Radio: One AM and one FM radio station, Radio Sunshine
TV: Television Niue
Newspaper: Niue Star weekly newspaper
ISP: One ISP operated by Emani Lui.
Recent News
The main issue to consume Niue’s politicians and business community in 2007 was the island’s financial crisis. A projected budget deficit of US$2.8 million prompted the crisis, which saw Niue's Premier Young Vivian withstand a vote of no confidence March brought by Opposition MP Terry Coe, who said years of economic mismanagement was the fault of successive governments and a new approach was needed. The motion came as Niue's government agreed to cut workers salaries by 10 percent.
By year’s end the Niue government was saying it could balance its budget for the coming year after putting aside outstanding debts. The government says it will cut spending next year, mainly because it will not be making provision to pay back millions owed to aid donors. It is also cutting back the availability of the pension to those 60 and over rather than the current 55. Village council grants will be halved. Grants for church pastors and community development assistance have been frozen.
Niue's financial secretary, Mike Fleming says “the island has been living beyond its means for many years.” Others warn that if there is a change in government when New Zealanders go to the polls this year, Niueans should be prepared for changes in Wellington’s aid policies.
Premier Vivian says the island could also privatize Telecom Niue as the government considers options for repairing the failing telecommunications system. Fixing the system will cost the government millions of dollars.
The government is also considering the introduction of tax changes including a consumption tax, cuts to personal taxes, reduced import duties and to re-impose an excise duty on a limited number of items.
Removal of import duties and the imposition of excise tax on items such as tobacco and alcohol may now be deferred until 2009.
There is some positive economic news on the horizon; the island will be able to draw on the interest earned by the Niue Trust Fund from October 2009. The government says this will bring confidence in the long term sovereignty of the island and pay for some major projects. The fund currently holds US$20 million.
Niue is to host the Pacific Islands Forum summit this year, and the government says it will be able to accommodate all who want to attend, despite the fact it has just one hotel with 25 rooms, and a handful of motels. And in line with the priorities of the Pacific Islands Forum, Niue announced itself ready to trade under the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) terms and conditions in August 2007, after it enacted laws allowing for the reduction and elimination of tariffs on imports of originating goods from the Countries that are Parties to PICTA.
Airlines, Shippers Serving Countrys
Air: Air New Zealand. Shippers: Cook Island National Line.
Main Government Contact
Premier’s Office
Alofi, Niue
Ph: (674) 444-3100
Email:
sog.premier@mail.gov.nu
Web:
www.gov.nu
Sources and Niue on the Web
Niue Statistics
www.spc.int/prism/country/nu/stats
Niue Tourism Bureau
www.niueisland.com
CIA World Factbook
www.cia.gov/
WHO
www.who.int
New Zealand Ministry Foreign Affairs
www.mfat.govt.nz
Map courtesy UH Press, The Pacific Islands; an Encyclopedia
Click map for larger image
