Australia-Oceania :: NIUE

- ## Introduction :: NIUE

- 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 continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to an estimated 1,229 in 2013) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest.

- ## Geography :: NIUE

- 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: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
  Terrain:
  steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: unnamed elevation near Mutalau settlement 68 m
  Natural resources:
  fish, arable land
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 19.1%
  arable land 3.8%; permanent crops 11.5%; permanent pasture 3.8%
  forest: 71.2%
  other: 9.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  typhoons
  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

- ## People and Society :: NIUE

- Nationality:
  noun: Niuean(s)
  adjective: Niuean
  Ethnic groups:
  Niuen 66.5%, part-Niuen 13.4%, non-Niuen 20.1% (includes 12% European and Asian and 8% 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:
  1,190 (July 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 235
  Population growth rate:
  -0.03% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 42.5% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: -0.94% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  ALOFI (capital) 1,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  NA
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: NA
  male: NA
  female: NA
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: NA
  male: NA
  female: NA
  Total fertility rate:
  NA
  Health expenditures:
  7.1% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Physicians density:
  3 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
  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.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  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:
  42.5% (2014)
  Education expenditures:
  NA
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 13 years
  male: 12 years
  female: 15 years (2005)

- ## Government :: NIUE

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Niue
  note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee
  former: Savage Island
  Dependency status:
  self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue 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:
  self-governing 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 parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand)
  National holiday:
  Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
  Constitution:
  several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974); amended 1992, 2007 (2007)
  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 Lt. Gen. Sir Jerry MATEPARAE (since 31 August 2011); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Mark BLUMSKY (since September 2011)
  head of government: Premier 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 24 April 2014 (next to be held in 2017)
  election results: Toke TALAGI reelected premier; Legislative Assembly vote - Toke TALAGI (independent) 12, Stanley KALAUNI 8
  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 12 April 2014 (next to be held in 2017)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 20 independents
  Judicial branch:
  highest resident court(s): 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
  note - Niue is a participant in the Pacific Judicial Development Program; the program is designed to build governance and the rule of law in 15 Pacific island countries
  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
  Political parties and leaders:
  Alliance of Independents or AI
  Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  NA
  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 :: NIUE

- Economy - overview:
  The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. 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. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. 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. Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $10.01 million (2003 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 229
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $10.01 million (2003)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  6.2% (2003 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $5,800 (2003 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 23.5%
  industry: 26.9%
  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: 231
  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: 127
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $15.07 million
  expenditures: $16.33 million (FY04/05)
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -12.6% of GDP (FY04/05)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4% (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Exports:
  $201,400 (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Exports - commodities:
  canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
  Imports:
  $9.038 million (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 222
  Imports - commodities:
  food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs
  Debt - external:
  $418,000 (2002 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Exchange rates:
  New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
  1.206 (2014)
  1.2187 (2013)
  1.23 (2012)
  1.263 (2011)
  1.3874 (2010)

- ## Energy :: NIUE

- Electricity - production:
  3 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Electricity - consumption:
  2.79 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  1,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  20 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  22.57 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  3,520 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212

- ## Communications :: NIUE

- Telephone system:
  domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island
  international: country code - 683 (2001)
  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 (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (1997)
  Internet country code:
  .nu
  Internet users:
  total: 1,100
  percent of population: 92.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 213

- ## Transportation :: NIUE

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 228
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 120 km
  paved: 120 km (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 214
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Alofi

- ## Military :: NIUE

- Military branches:
  no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

- ## Transnational Issues :: NIUE

- Disputes - international:
  none