| Introduction | The pronunciation of the word "Niue" is like "new-way". The other name of the country is Rock of Polynesia, which is also very popular. It is also known as Rock to the native people of the country. Niue is situated in the north-eastern zone of New Zealand. Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands surround the country from three corners. |
| Population | Population: 1,400 Population growth rate: -2.7% Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 76 years (women) (UN) |
| Geography | Island in Oceania, 19 degrees south of the equator, between Tonga in the west and the Cook Islands in the east. About 24 by 40 kilometers -- 260 square kilometers. Limestone cliffs rather than beaches. High point of 68 meters (223 feet). The largest uplifted coral island in the world. Surrounded by a reef. Tropical and rocky. Large sub-terranean limestone caves, sea chasms and arches, grottoes, reef pools. An abundance of large game fish. First generation rain forest. Niue means "Behold, a coconut tree!" Capital: Alofi |
| Religion | Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% |
| Government | Since 1974 Niue has been a parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand. New Zealand is responsible for Niue's external affairs and defence, however these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue. Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs. Niue’s system of government is based on the Westminster system. The Niue Assembly consists of 20 members, 14 of whom are elected by village constituencies and 6 from the common roll. The 20 members elect a Premier and the Premier selects three cabinet ministers from the 19. Members elect a Speaker from outside their ranks. A general election is held every three years. (Sources: The World Factbook and the Government of Niue) |
| Economics | GDP (purchasing power parity) $10.01million. The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. |
| Health | Healthcare is free. A mobile health team delivers maternal and child health services to the island's numerous villages. All villages are connected by telephone. Niue is one of the few Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to be free from HIV/AIDS and malaria. The prevalence of these noted diseases (to date) are non-existent. However, this does not mean that is immune to both of them. Therefore comprehensive strategies should be in place in case an event may occur. Ongoing awareness programs has been implemented which, highlights the disastrous effects on the nation socially, economically, medically, spiritually, etc.. The emphasis now is not to be complacent about the current situation (no HIV/AIDS) as it does not know any discrimination whatsoever in its host. (Source: Pacific Regional Information Service at http://www.spc.int/prism/nutest/Reports/MDG Report/GOAL 6 MDG.pdf) |
| Legislation | http://www.paclii.org/databases.html#NU |
| Related Websites | The World Factbook - Niue UNICEF - Niue World Health Organization - Niue |
http://www.paclii.org/databases.html#NC