Niue is a self-governing state comprised of a single island in the Pacific Ocean. Formerly a British Protectorate, Niue was annexed to New Zealand in 1901, but has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974. Under Niue’s Constitution, New Zealand provides economic assistance and defence (including surveillance of the island’s Exclusive Economic Zone). As New Zealand citizens, Niueans can live and work in New Zealand. Niue’s population of 1,792 people has stabilised and is showing small signs of growth. The number of Niueans living in New Zealand is much greater than in the country itself. Niue has 14 villages with the capital town Alofi located on the western coast of the island.
Compared to other Pacific Island countries, Niue has a high per capita income with a good standard of living. Niue was one of
two countries in the region to meet each of its MDGs. Health and education services are well funded and there is universal access to clean water and sanitation. There are no cases of extreme poverty.
Niue has a vulnerable economy that is dependent on overseas aid and imported fuel. Key growth constraints include relative isolation, limited arable land, and insufficient private investment. Many Niuean professionals have tended (or choose) to live and work overseas instead of returning to Niue. This continues to be a major challenge to the economic development of Niue. Tourism is a potential driver of growth and visitor numbers have doubled since 2009.
Niue’s population is aging with high rates of emigration among working age people. Following current trends there will be more older persons than children living in Niue by 2050.125 The returnees who do come back to the island to reside are often near or beyond retirement age. This has broader implications for population health.
Parity has been achieved in primary and secondary education. Women’s economic participation is high. Most senior management positions in the public service are held by women, with a continuing trend for women to take up management roles in the private sector and NGO groups compared to their male counterparts. Women have been represented in parliament since 1974, but never representing more than 15 per cent126. The 2017 general elections have placed Niue women representation in parliament at 25 percent, a significant change and election result based on merit rather than legislated.
Communicable diseases are a growing concern in Niue but mitigating actions have already been instigated, predominantly by the Niue Health Department in partnership with community groups to ensure public awareness of sustainable healthy lifestyles. A large-scale annual elimination programme against the vector borne parasite lymphatic filariasis is ongoing, with 88 per cent coverage of at risk populations.127 There are no reported cases of HIV infection, but STIs are becoming a recognised problem, especially among young people.
Climate change is already evident in Niue. Maximum daily temperatures have increased at a rate of 0.15 per cent whilst ocean acidification and sea levels are already rising. Crucially, cyclones are predicted to become less frequent but more intense.128 In 2004, Category Five Tropical Cyclone Heta caused catastrophic destruction in Niue, killing two people, injuring many others, and destroying homes, the hospital, infrastructure, and cultural artefacts including the National Museum and Cultural Centre. The damage bill was three times the country’s annual GDP. Tropical Cyclone Heta demonstrated Niue’s extreme ecological fragility.
Treaty Ratifications: CRC, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, UNCLOS, CCPWCNH
Resident and Non-resident Agencies: FAO, IAEA, OECD, UNDP, UN Environment, UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNISDR, UNODC, UN Women, WHO, WMO
Coordination: Niue UN Joint Presence Office
National Strategic Development Plan: National Strategic Plan 2016-2026, “Niue ke Monuina – A Prosperous Niue”
- 125Population and Ageing in the Pacific Islands: A situation Analysis, UNFPA, 2014
- 126Gender Profile Niue, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, 2012.
- 127WHO Country Cooperation Strategy, Niue, 2013-2
- 128Current and future climate of Niue, Pacific Climate Change Science Program, 2011.
| Alignment of country development priorities | ||
| UNPS Outcomes | Country Development
Strategy Priority/Pillar |
Identified Priorities 2018-2022 |
| Outcome 1:
Climate Change, Disaster Resilience, and Environmental Protection |
Environment and Climate
Change |
· Implement work on the environmental SDGs holistically.
· Encourage local communities to take ownership of programmes. · Support food and water security projects that mainstream climate change adaptation. |
| Outcome 2:
Gender Equality |
Tāoga Niue
(Niuean culture and heritage) |
· Economically empower women through the expansion of cultural and industrial development and initiatives to protect Niuean culture. |
| Outcome 3:
Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Empowerment |
Economic Development
Infrastructure
Private Sector Development |
· Provide technical support and training on water auditing to eventually enhance Niue’s venture of exporting bottled drinking water.
· Ensure a healthy and friendly business environment that appeals to foreign investors and Niuean nationals living abroad. · Develop frameworks for Niue that allow for outreach and access to various donors. |
| · Support a sustainable tourism plan.
· Niue needs modern facilities to allow for economic growth and to ensure clear communication between “market demand and market supply”. · Respond to demand for small grants projects. · Recognise the need for capacity building and professional support for employees who would normally be required to wear more than one hat of responsibilities. · Support steps toward greater flexibility on land tenure – allowing for equitable and easy access to ownership or leasing of land to encourage development of businesses that can contribute to the tourism industry. · Establish trade agreements to broadly market local products overseas for international exposure and local financial gain. · Link closely with external partners and build strong partnerships to ensure national, professional, and social priorities are met. · Help to introduce a framework that can allow local communities/businesses to access small grants funding. · Map and audit cultural and arts information already available and list who is doing what. · Link cultural industries to financial literacy and markets leading to economic empowerment. · Promote the creative economy involving creative industries (arts, dance, and crafts) and integrate it into formal education. |
||
| Outcome 4:
Equitable Basic Services |
Social Services | · Approach food security from a socioeconomic perspective as a path to income generation.
· Help to enforce internationally recognized nutrition standards. · Support national heath priorities including good health, mental wellbeing, and control of NCDs. · Help to standardise provisions of vaccinations as an essential component of primary health. · With the Ridge to Reef Project launched and GEF 6 and GCF proposals underway, UN agencies should commit to explore potential partnerships which recognize comparative advantages and seek to facilitate implementation, such as UNICEF with its WASH expertise in the GEF 6 water management component. · Share best practices on vector control. · Encourage political will to support culture in education, equality and institutions. · Change perceptions – from culture being low priority to include arts and culture throughout the school curriculum. |
| Outcome 5:
Governance and Community Engagement |
Governance | · Examine Labour Laws to explore the potential of seasonal workers who may be contracted to Niue.
· Assist with provision of temporary lodgments and costs associated with bringing in seasonal workers. · Provide translation of SDGs documents. · Include the word culture in national and UN project plans (Niue Priorities in Language) · Include the word culture in national and UN project plans (Niue Priorities in Language) |
| Outcome 6:
Human Rights |
· Retention of Vagahau Niue in all forms of Niuean life without prejudice. | |
