Niue
self-governing territory in free association
Niue as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 81 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
15 fieldsTerrain
steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
- lowest point:
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Environment
- current issues:
- traditional methods of burning brush and trees to clear land for agriculture have threatened soil supplies which are not naturally very abundant
- natural hazards:
- typhoons
- international agreements:
- signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
People
14 fieldsSex ratio
- at birth:
- NA male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- NA male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- NA male(s)/female
- all ages:
- NA male(s)/female
Religions
Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society, Morman 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Government
Self-governing territory in free association; Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (acting premier since NA December 1992, premier since 12 March 1993) was reelected by the Legislative Assembly
19 fieldsLegislature, 20 seatsone dot, one seat
Type of government
- self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand;
- Niue fully responsible for internal affairs;
- New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs
Independence
19 October 1974 (became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand on 19 October 1974)
National holiday
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch;
- the queen and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Warren SEARELL (since NA August 1993)
- head of government:
- Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (acting premier since NA December 1992, premier since 12 March 1993) was reelected by the Legislative Assembly;
- election last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
Legislative Assembly
- elections last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999);
- results - percent of vote NA;
- seats - (20 total, 6 elected) NPP 9, independents 11
International organization participation
ESCAP (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Flag
- 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 one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross
Economy
The economy is heavily dependent on aid from | New Zealand.
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 1,500 kW
Economic overview
The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand - the grants are used to pay wages to public employees. 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 migration of Niueans to New Zealand.
Agriculture
coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Exports
$117,500 (f.o.b., 1989)
- commodities:
- canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
- partners:
- NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia
Imports
$4.1 million (c.i.f., 1989)
- commodities:
- food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs
- partners:
- NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Transportation
5 fieldsNetworkskm
Communications
Police Force
8 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- single-line telephone system connects all villages on island
- international:
- NA
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Niue.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/niue/1996.