Overview
The island of Niue is located in Polynesia, east of Tonga and northeast of New Zealand. Niue is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, an arrangement dating from October 1974. Niue celebrated its 50th Anniversary of Constitution Day in 2024.
Political overview
The Head of State is HM King Charles III, represented by the Governor-General of New Zealand.
System of Government
Niue's parliament is the Fale Fono (General Assembly) and consists of 20 members.
14 constituency or 'village' seats and six 'common roll' seats elected every three years by universal suffrage. The 20 members elect a Prime Minister, who then selects three cabinet ministers. Assembly members currently all serve as independents. The members appoint a Speaker from outside their ranks.
Niue's most recent general election was held on 29 April 2023. The Fale Fono elected the Hon Dalton Tagelagi as Prime Minister (then known as Premier). Prime Minister Tagelagi formerly served as Minister for Natural Resources in the late Sir Toke Talagi's government. Prime Minister Tagelagi is also Niue's Minister for Foreign Affairs.
On Saturday, 31 August 2024, Niue held a referendum to vote on four bills proposing amendments to the Niue Constitution. Two bills were successfully passed, formally changing the title of Premier to Prime Minister and changing the name of the Audit Office to the Auditor General.
Bilateral relations
Australia and Niue established diplomatic relations on 27 February 2013, with Australia's High Commissioner in Wellington appointed as non-resident High Commissioner to Niue. Australia established a High Commission in Alofi in August 2020 with a resident High Commissioner. Australia and Niue enjoy a friendly relationship through strong people-to-people links and close cooperation on development priorities.
The Niue-Australia Development Program (AUD 4.8 million, 2021-2025) marks a significant increase in our development support. Previously, Australia's bilateral aid to Niue was delivered by New Zealand through a Delegated Cooperation Arrangement (AUD 10.9 million over 2014-2022).
People-to-people links
Australia is helping Niue build a skilled workforce by providing opportunities for education.
The Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships program enables Niueans to undertake undergraduate degree and diploma-level study within the Pacific region. Individuals gain skills and knowledge to make a lasting contribution to Niue's short- and long-term development.
Economic overview
Niue faces economic challenges common to small island states within the region. These include geographic isolation, limited natural resources, high operating costs, and a small population. Cyclones occasionally devastate the island's infrastructure, including housing and tourist facilities.
The tourism industry is a vital sector in the economy. Tourism revenue, accounting for 90 per cent of pre-pandemic independent revenue, collapsed during the pandemic and is recovering slowly.
Under the terms of the constitutional agreement between New Zealand and Niue, New Zealand provides administrative assistance as well as substantial economic assistance in the form of direct budget support and project-related aid.
Fishing licences and the international lease of Niue's unique four-digit telephone numbers are important income earners for the country. Remittances from Niueans living abroad supplement the income of island families.
Niue's small population has been a concern of successive governments. At the time of Niue's 2022 Census, the resident population was 1,564. Niue’s diaspora in Australia is 6,225, second only to the diaspora in New Zealand (30,867). Approximately 90 per cent of Niue's population lives in New Zealand.
High-level visits and meetings
- October 2024: Special Envoy for the Pacific, Ewen McDonald, visited Niue for Constitution Day, marking 50 years of Niuean self-government.
- October 2022: Foreign Minister, the Hon Penny Wong, visited Niue for Constitution Day and held bilateral meetings.
- October 2018: Former High Commissioner Ewen McDonald attended Niue's Constitution Day.
- April 2018: Former High Commissioner to New Zealand Ewen McDonald visited Niue to present his credentials as non-resident High Commissioner to Niue.
- November 2015: Former Minister for International Development, the Hon Steven Ciobo, visited Niue and held bilateral meetings.
- July 2015: Premier Talagi attended the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Sydney.
- August 2014: Then High Commissioner to New Zealand Michael Potts visited Niue to present his credentials as non-resident High Commissioner to Niue
- December 2010: Then Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon. Richard Marles visited Niue.