Niue is an island country in the south-central Pacific, with Tonga to the west, Samoa to the north, and the neighboring Cook Islands to the east. The area is 261.46 square kilometers. The population is 1620 (2018).

The Niueites are of Polynesian ethnicity and speak Niuean and English. They speak two dialects in the north and south of the island, and most believe in the Ecclesian Niue religion. The country produces granadilla, coconut, lemon, banana, etc. There are small fruit processing plants. The sale of stamps is also an important economic income. Alofi is the capital of Niue.

Niue is a free union zone in New Zealand, and foreign aid is the basic source of income for Niue.

Niue provides free Internet to all residents, and at the same time became the first country to use Wi-Fi wireless Internet access, but not all villages can connect to the Internet.

History

The Polynesians of Samoa settled in Niue in 900 AD.

In 1774, the British James Cook discovered Niue, but was refused landing. He named the island Savaqi Island.

In 1846, Nukai Penamina, a native of Niue, went to Marua Theological Seminary in Samoa to be trained as a priest. After graduation, he returned to Niue but was refused to dock. One of the three village chiefs finally allowed him to land. , And assigned more than 60 soldiers to protect him day and night.

In 1889, the chief of Niue wrote to Queen Victoria, begging her to “stretch out a strong hand and let Niue be protected by her.”

In 1900, Niue became a British protectorate.

In 1901, it was transferred to New Zealand as part of the Cook Islands.

In 1904, a separate administrative agency was established.

In 1974, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Constitution, recognizing Niue’s autonomy. Keep free contact with New Zealand. The government of Niue enjoys full executive and legislative powers. At the request of the Niue government, the New Zealand government can assist in defense and foreign affairs. The Government of New Zealand and the Government of Niue exchanged high commissioners. Niueans enjoy dual citizenship of both Niue and New Zealand.

In January 2004, Niue was hit by Cyclone Heta, causing two deaths. The entire island was almost destroyed. Most houses on the island and the only hospital on the island were razed by the hurricane. The islanders The crops were also destroyed. However, the population of the island dropped from 1,500 to 500, which caused the self-government of Niue to be unable to continue to support it.

Therefore, the Niue government believes that it must be merged with New Zealand in some way, citing the 1974 Niue Declaration of Independence, which stipulates that New Zealand is obliged to provide the necessary economic and administrative assistance to the former colony of Niue.

Geographical environment
Regional location

Located on the east side of the South Pacific International Date Line, it belongs to the Polynesian Islands. Niue is the second-largest rising circular coral reef in the world and is known as the “Polynesian Reef”. Auckland, New Zealand is 2600 km away. It is about 550 kilometers north of Samoa, 269 kilometers east of Tonga Tonga to the west, and 900 kilometers east of Rarotonga Island in the Cook Islands. Located in the South Pacific, 170 degrees west longitude and 19 degrees south latitude. The land area is 260 square kilometers; the exclusive economic zone is 390 square kilometers.

Climate characteristics

It has a tropical oceanic climate, with rainfall mainly concentrated from November to April of the following year, with an average annual precipitation of 2000mm and an average annual temperature of 27°C.

National symbol
National flag

The flag of Niue was commissioned on October 15, 1975. The national flag is rectangular with a ratio of length to width of 2:1. The yellow flag surface represents the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand; the upper left corner is the British flag, but five yellow five-pointed stars have been added to the British flag to show the relationship with the United Kingdom.

National emblem

Niue is an independent and sovereign free United Nations. The main body of its national emblem is the New Zealand national emblem, but it is smaller than the New Zealand national emblem, and the national emblem is round and written in English (public seal of Niue: Niue emblem), at the bottom Write the name “NIUE”.

Population race

There are 1,620 people (2018), and about 12,000 people live in New Zealand. Is of Polynesian race. 75% of residents believe in Eclisia Niue, 10% believe in Mormon, and 5% believe in Roman Catholicism. General Niue and English.