Niue is a small island state in Polynesia with a population of just under 2000. It was first settled around the 5th century and became a British protectorate at the dawn of the 20th century, passing to New Zealand the following year. Niue was devastated by a cyclone in 2004, but is being rebuilt and turning to tourism as a stable source of income. The island offers pristine beauty, beaches, snorkeling, rainforest, and swimming with dolphins. Flights arrive daily from New Zealand and Samoa.
Niue is a small island state in Polynesia. It covers 100 square miles (260 sq km) and has a population of just under 2000. Niue is located near Samoa, the Cook Islands and Tonga and is approximately 1500 miles (2400 km) from New Zealand. The island is often referred to simply as The Rock.
Niue was first settled around the 5th century by sailors from Tonga and Samoa. For the next seven centuries, new waves of Polynesians continued to arrive on the island, enriching the culture and keeping the population stable.
At the end of the 18th century, Captain Cook arrived on the island. He attempted to land several times, each time encountering hostile Polynesians who prevented his ship from anchoring. After the third failure, Captain Cook gave up and left the island, nicknamed Wild Isle after him.
Five decades later, missionaries arrived on the island, kidnapping two young men to teach the gospel. Over the following decades Christianity spread throughout the island and by the mid-19th century the island was predominantly Christian, although disillusionment with the Church continued to dwell beneath the surface. In the late 19th century the ruling king wrote to Queen Victoria asking for England’s protection, but the request was rejected.
At the dawn of the 20th century, Niue was finally established as a British protectorate, passing to New Zealand the following year. The transfer of power to New Zealand was not favored by the people of Niue, especially when they realized that New Zealand had united them with the Cook Islands. In 1920, New Zealand offered Niue autonomy, but the island requested that the decision be postponed for another decade. In 1964, the island became autonomous, joining in free association with New Zealand, which handles diplomatic relations and the military defense of Niue.
In 2004 Niue was devastated by a cyclone, which destroyed much of the island’s infrastructure. Although it is being rebuilt, the island has not fully recovered yet. New Zealand’s economic aid makes up a large part of the country’s economy, but Niue is increasingly turning to tourism as a stable source of income.
While not as developed as many other Polynesian vacation spots, Niue offers incredibly pristine beauty and an understated atmosphere that draws many visitors. Beaches like Hio Beach offer the opportunity to soak up some rays in seclusion or partake in some of the island’s fabulous snorkeling. Flocks of butterflies can be found in the island’s virgin rainforest, as well as a diverse range of tropical flora. Swimming with dolphins is also a popular tourist pastime in Niue, as is exploring the majestic coral reefs that surround the island.
Flights arrive daily into Niue from New Zealand and Samoa. There are no vessels offering commercial passenger service to Niue, but the island is a popular destination with boaters from the neighboring Polynesian islands and New Zealand.
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