Reputedly the world’s largest coral island, Niue’s rugged coastline and reef offer excellent fishing, diving and snorkelling opportunities. Parakeets, white-tailed terns, weka and other exotic birds live on this island and butterflies are a common sight darting among the hibiscus and orchids.

The island is well off the beaten track but tourist arrivals have been recorded as significantly more than the island’s permanent population.

Most of the inhabitants of Niue descend from settlers from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, who arrived between 600-1000 AD, developing their own particular culture. The first Europeans reached Niue in the wake of Captain Cook’s expedition to the region in 1774. Administered by the London Missionary Society from 1846, it became a British Protectorate in 1900.

The island was then formally annexed to New Zealand in 1901, as part of the Cook Islands. In 1974, Niue was granted ‘self-government in free association with New Zealand’, making it the smallest self-governing state with that status. This also allows Niueans to retain New Zealand citizenship while maintaining self-government in their own country.

The major problems facing Niue are chronic population decline caused by emigration and the fragility of the island’s status as an offshore tax haven, which is under threat from new measures designed to tackle international money laundering. Niue is also vulnerable to Pacific cyclones.

262.7 sq km (101.4 sq miles).

1,500 (CIA estimate 2007).

5.7 per sq km.

Alofi. Population: 1,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Self-governing state in ‘free association’ with New Zealand. (New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs.)  

Niuean and English.

Most people belong to the Ekalesia Niue, a Protestant denomination; also Apostolic, Bahaii Faith, Christian Outreach Church, Latter Day Saints (Mormon), Jehovah’s Witness, Roman Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist.

GMT - 11.

Niuean children are bestowed with gifts of money or handmade mats and cloths from their relatives upon coming of age, when girls have their ears pierced and boys receive their first haircut. It is polite to ask permission before entering private land. Niueans consider Sunday as a serious day of rest and most attend church both in the morning and afternoon. While many people play golf, go swimming or sightsee, certain activities, such as boating and fishing, are not allowed on Sunday. For further information on Sunday protocol, contact the Niue Tourism Office (see Contact Addresses). Clothing is usually casual, cool and comfortable but women often wear a hat and cover their shoulders for church and men wear long trousers. Swimming attire is not acceptable in towns or villages.

240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are the standard three-pin type.

Premier Young Vivian since 2002.

HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by High Commissioner Sandra Lee.