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Niue is an island located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as "Rock of Polynesia". Although it is self-governing, it is in free association with New Zealand, and most nations regard it as a territory of that nation. Niue is located 2,400 kilometres north-east of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
HistoryMain article: History of Niue European involvement in Niue began in 1774 with Captain James Cook's sighting (landing was refused) of what he named "Savage Island". The next major arrival was the London Missionary Society in 1846. Briefly a protectorate, the UK's involvement was passed on in 1901 when New Zealand annexed the island. Independence in the form of self-government was granted by the New Zealand parliament in the 1974 constitution. In January of 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical storm Cyclone Heta which killed two people and did extensive damage to the entire island. PoliticsMain article: Politics of Niue The Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ) vests executive authority in Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand and the Governor-General of New Zealand. The constitution specifies that in everyday practice, it is exercised by a Cabinet of the Premier of Niue and three other ministers. The premier and ministers must be members of the Niue Assembly, the nation's legislative assembly. The assembly consists of twenty democratically elected members, fourteen by the electors of village constituencies. The remaining six are elected the same way, except several constituencies are combined for each seat. Electors must be New Zealand citizens, resident for at least three months, and candidates must have been electors, resident for twelve months. The speaker is elected from among the members. CultureMain article: Culture of Niue See Music of Niue GeographyMain article: Geography of Niue Niue is an island located in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga. The geographic cordinates of Niue are 19°02' S, 169°52' W. It is one of world's largest coral islands. The terrain of Niue consists of steep limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau rising to about 60 metres above sea level. A coral reef surrounds the island, with the only major break in the reef being in the central western coast, close to the capital, Alofi. A notable feature of the island is the number of limestone caves found close to the coast. The island is roughly oval in shape, with two large bays indenting the western coast (Alofi Bay in the centre, and Avatele Bay in the south). Between these is the promontory of Halagigie Point. A small peninsula, Tepa Point (or Blowhole Point) is located close to the settlement of Avatele in the southwest. Most of the island's population reside close to the west coast, around the capital and in the northwest. The island has a tropical climate , with most rainfall occurring between November and April. Defence and foreign affairsNiue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defence; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue. Niue has no regular indigenous military forces. Related topicsExternal links
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