| NIUE Niue Niue Joined United Nations: Not A Member Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 03/25/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Alofi
1,398 (July 2009 est.)
Elizabeth II of United Kingdom
Queen since 6 February 1952
Queen since 6 February 1952
The monarch is hereditary and holds that position for life or until
abdication. The high commission is selected by the Queen to
serve for a three year period
Next scheduled election: None
abdication. The high commission is selected by the Queen to
serve for a three year period
Next scheduled election: None
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Toke Talagi
Premier since 18 June 2008
Premier since 18 June 2008
Premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year
term; election last held 18 June 2008
Next scheduled election: 2011
term; election last held 18 June 2008
Next scheduled election: 2011
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)
| RELIGIONS |
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% (2001 census)
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% (2001 census)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Parliamentary democracy; 12 second order villages. Legal system is based English common law; Niue is self-governing,
with the power to make its own laws
Executive: Monarch represented by High Commissioner; Premier elected by Legislative Assembly; last held 18
June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
Legislative: Unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year
terms; 6 elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held 18 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
Judicial: Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
with the power to make its own laws
Executive: Monarch represented by High Commissioner; Premier elected by Legislative Assembly; last held 18
June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
Legislative: Unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year
terms; 6 elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held 18 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
Judicial: Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
| LANGUAGES |
Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Niue is in the Polynesian cultural zone of the South Pacific with a culture and language strongly related to that in
neighboring Tonga and Samoa. Niue probably was first settled more than 1000 years ago by Tongans and Samoans. In
1774 British explorer James Cook became the first European to visit the island, which he named Savage Island for the
hostile reception he received. In the mid-19th century, missionaries of the London Missionary Society converted the
islanders to Christianity. Niueans petitioned Queen Victoria three times to place their island under the protection of the
British Crown; they were successful in 1900. The following year, New Zealand annexed Niue as part of the Cook
Islands. In 1904 it became a separate colony with its own administration. In preparation for self-government, the
Legislative Assembly was established in 1960. On October 19, 1974, Niue became self-governing in free association
with New Zealand. Niueans are citizens of both Niue and New Zealand. There are about 14,500 Niueans presently
living in New Zealand compared to less than 2,300 in Niue. About half the people live in and around the capital, Alofi,
on the island's west side. Others live in villages scattered along a road that circles the island. Niue's population has been
in decline since the 1980s due to limited economic opportunities. Incentives to entice Niueans to return to their
homeland have been unsuccessful. New Zealanders can reside in but not take up gainful employment without Niuean
permission. New Zealand also maintains oversight of foreign and defense affairs for Niue. For many years New
Zealand foreign aid supplied the money that kept the government running. With a dramatic cutback in foreign aid and
the large number of cutbacks in the public sector, the present government has set a course designed to try and attain
economic self-sufficiency by the year 2000. Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its
Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The
population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to about 2,166 in 2006), with substantial
emigration to New Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest.
Sources Road Toad Peace Corps Niue Data; CIA World Factbook (select Niue)
neighboring Tonga and Samoa. Niue probably was first settled more than 1000 years ago by Tongans and Samoans. In
1774 British explorer James Cook became the first European to visit the island, which he named Savage Island for the
hostile reception he received. In the mid-19th century, missionaries of the London Missionary Society converted the
islanders to Christianity. Niueans petitioned Queen Victoria three times to place their island under the protection of the
British Crown; they were successful in 1900. The following year, New Zealand annexed Niue as part of the Cook
Islands. In 1904 it became a separate colony with its own administration. In preparation for self-government, the
Legislative Assembly was established in 1960. On October 19, 1974, Niue became self-governing in free association
with New Zealand. Niueans are citizens of both Niue and New Zealand. There are about 14,500 Niueans presently
living in New Zealand compared to less than 2,300 in Niue. About half the people live in and around the capital, Alofi,
on the island's west side. Others live in villages scattered along a road that circles the island. Niue's population has been
in decline since the 1980s due to limited economic opportunities. Incentives to entice Niueans to return to their
homeland have been unsuccessful. New Zealanders can reside in but not take up gainful employment without Niuean
permission. New Zealand also maintains oversight of foreign and defense affairs for Niue. For many years New
Zealand foreign aid supplied the money that kept the government running. With a dramatic cutback in foreign aid and
the large number of cutbacks in the public sector, the present government has set a course designed to try and attain
economic self-sufficiency by the year 2000. Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its
Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The
population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to about 2,166 in 2006), with substantial
emigration to New Zealand, 2,400 km to the southwest.
Sources Road Toad Peace Corps Niue Data; CIA World Factbook (select Niue)
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
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. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing
the public service by almost half. 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 emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include
the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002
resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in FY08/09 was US$5.7
million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in
the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
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. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing
the public service by almost half. 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 emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include
the promotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002
resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in FY08/09 was US$5.7
million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in
the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Politics of Niue takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Chief
Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Niue is self-governing in free association with New Zealand
and is fully responsible for internal affairs. New Zealand retains some responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with
Niue. The Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ) vests executive authority in Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand and
the Governor-General of New Zealand. The constitution specifies that in everyday practice, it is exercised by a Cabinet of the
Premier of Niue and three other ministers. The premier and ministers must be members of the Niue Assembly, the nation's
legislative assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The monarch is hereditary; her representative in relation to Niue (the Governor-General of New Zealand) is appointed by the
monarch. The New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by, and acts solely as a diplomatic agent of,the New Zealand
Government. The cabinet is chosen by the premier and appointed by the Speaker of the Niue Assembly and collectively
responsible to Parliament.
In Niue, political parties have never played an important role. There is, at present, no political party, and candidates to
elections therefore run as independents. The only party ever to have existed, the Niue People's Party, disbanded in 2003.
As there are no political parties, there is no formal parliamentary Opposition.
Wikipedia: Politics of Niue
Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Niue is self-governing in free association with New Zealand
and is fully responsible for internal affairs. New Zealand retains some responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with
Niue. The Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ) vests executive authority in Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand and
the Governor-General of New Zealand. The constitution specifies that in everyday practice, it is exercised by a Cabinet of the
Premier of Niue and three other ministers. The premier and ministers must be members of the Niue Assembly, the nation's
legislative assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
The monarch is hereditary; her representative in relation to Niue (the Governor-General of New Zealand) is appointed by the
monarch. The New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by, and acts solely as a diplomatic agent of,the New Zealand
Government. The cabinet is chosen by the premier and appointed by the Speaker of the Niue Assembly and collectively
responsible to Parliament.
In Niue, political parties have never played an important role. There is, at present, no political party, and candidates to
elections therefore run as independents. The only party ever to have existed, the Niue People's Party, disbanded in 2003.
As there are no political parties, there is no formal parliamentary Opposition.
Wikipedia: Politics of Niue
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
None reported.
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) |
No IDP's with respect to war or ethnic strife however 14,500 Niueans live in New Zealand in comparison to 1,398
who live on the island as a result of limited economic opportunity as a result of its remoteness and economic devastation
from a typhoon which struck Niue in January 2004.
who live on the island as a result of limited economic opportunity as a result of its remoteness and economic devastation
from a typhoon which struck Niue in January 2004.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
None reported.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: New Zealand (including Niue)
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Women participated fully in political life. There were 41 women in parliament. There were eight women on the executive council,
which comprises 28 ministers (20 within the cabinet and eight outside the cabinet). The chief justice of the Supreme Court was a
woman. There were three women in the 25-seat parliament of the Associated State of the Cook Islands and four women in the
20-seat parliament of the Associated State of Niue.
Labor organization in the territory of Tokelau (population 1,400) was limited and based on communal decision making and activity.
In Niue, a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand (population 1,400), the dominant public sector (460
positions) had an active public service association.
Click here to read more »
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Women participated fully in political life. There were 41 women in parliament. There were eight women on the executive council,
which comprises 28 ministers (20 within the cabinet and eight outside the cabinet). The chief justice of the Supreme Court was a
woman. There were three women in the 25-seat parliament of the Associated State of the Cook Islands and four women in the
20-seat parliament of the Associated State of Niue.
Labor organization in the territory of Tokelau (population 1,400) was limited and based on communal decision making and activity.
In Niue, a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand (population 1,400), the dominant public sector (460
positions) had an active public service association.
Click here to read more »
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND
HUMAN RIGHTS
15 June 2009,
Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
Executive summary
Delegates underlined that climate change-related impacts had a range of implications, both direct and indirect, for the effective
enjoyment of human rights. It was noted that climate change-related events would directly affect the enjoyment of a range of
human rights and would negatively affect the capacity of States to protect human rights.
Delegates considered it valuable to look at climate change-related effects from a human rights perspective. In particular, delegates
underlined how a human rights perspective: (a) focused the debate on climate change more directly on the real-life effects on the
lives of individuals and communities; (b) directed attention to the situation of the most vulnerable and to the need to ensure that
their rights are protected; (e) empowered individuals and communities and gave them a voice in decision-making processes, (f)
introduced an accountability framework, holding governments accountable for reducing the vulnerability of their populations to
global warming; (g) strengthened policy-making, drawing attention to the interactions between climate and human rights policies
and promoting policy coherence and a more holistic, coordinated and effective global response to climate change.
1. The Human Rights Council, at its 10th session, held a panel discussion on the relationship between climate change and
human rights on 15 June 2009, pursuant to its resolution 10/4 of March 2009. With a view to contributing to the goals set out in
the Bali Action Plan, the main objectives of the panel were to: (a) improve understanding of the implications of climate change-
related effects and of climate change response measures for the full enjoyment of human rights, (b) discuss the implications of this
understanding for climate change policy making, and (c) better understand the implications of climate change for human rights law
and mechanisms. For reference, see annexed concept note of the panel discussion.
2. The present summary was prepared in implementation of Human Rights Council resolutions 7/23 and 10/4 (adopted by
consensus on 28 March 2008 and 25 March 2009 respectively), in which the Council requested the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to prepare a summary of its discussions held during its 10th session in March
2009, when it considered a report prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the relationship between
climate change and human rights (A/HRC/10/61), and of its panel discussion held during its 11th session. The Council also decided
to make the summary available, together with the OHCHR report, to the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for its consideration.
54. New Zealand stated that in view of their vulnerability to the effects of climate change, special consideration needed to be
given to the human rights and economic, social and environmental well-being of Small Island Developing States. New Zealand had
joined with others in promoting the “Niue Declaration on Climate Change” adopted by Pacific Islands Forum leaders in 2008. The
Declaration recognized the importance of the Pacific’s social and cultural identity and the desire of Pacific people to continue to live
in their own countries.
Click here to read more »
HUMAN RIGHTS
15 June 2009,
Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS
Executive summary
Delegates underlined that climate change-related impacts had a range of implications, both direct and indirect, for the effective
enjoyment of human rights. It was noted that climate change-related events would directly affect the enjoyment of a range of
human rights and would negatively affect the capacity of States to protect human rights.
Delegates considered it valuable to look at climate change-related effects from a human rights perspective. In particular, delegates
underlined how a human rights perspective: (a) focused the debate on climate change more directly on the real-life effects on the
lives of individuals and communities; (b) directed attention to the situation of the most vulnerable and to the need to ensure that
their rights are protected; (e) empowered individuals and communities and gave them a voice in decision-making processes, (f)
introduced an accountability framework, holding governments accountable for reducing the vulnerability of their populations to
global warming; (g) strengthened policy-making, drawing attention to the interactions between climate and human rights policies
and promoting policy coherence and a more holistic, coordinated and effective global response to climate change.
1. The Human Rights Council, at its 10th session, held a panel discussion on the relationship between climate change and
human rights on 15 June 2009, pursuant to its resolution 10/4 of March 2009. With a view to contributing to the goals set out in
the Bali Action Plan, the main objectives of the panel were to: (a) improve understanding of the implications of climate change-
related effects and of climate change response measures for the full enjoyment of human rights, (b) discuss the implications of this
understanding for climate change policy making, and (c) better understand the implications of climate change for human rights law
and mechanisms. For reference, see annexed concept note of the panel discussion.
2. The present summary was prepared in implementation of Human Rights Council resolutions 7/23 and 10/4 (adopted by
consensus on 28 March 2008 and 25 March 2009 respectively), in which the Council requested the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to prepare a summary of its discussions held during its 10th session in March
2009, when it considered a report prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the relationship between
climate change and human rights (A/HRC/10/61), and of its panel discussion held during its 11th session. The Council also decided
to make the summary available, together with the OHCHR report, to the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for its consideration.
54. New Zealand stated that in view of their vulnerability to the effects of climate change, special consideration needed to be
given to the human rights and economic, social and environmental well-being of Small Island Developing States. New Zealand had
joined with others in promoting the “Niue Declaration on Climate Change” adopted by Pacific Islands Forum leaders in 2008. The
Declaration recognized the importance of the Pacific’s social and cultural identity and the desire of Pacific people to continue to live
in their own countries.
Click here to read more »
No reports from Freedom House mentioning Niue after exhaustive search of their data base. Please forward any
information you may have regarding Freedom House efforts on behalf of Niue to the Pax Gaea World Report editor at
the link below.
Contact the editor »
information you may have regarding Freedom House efforts on behalf of Niue to the Pax Gaea World Report editor at
the link below.
Contact the editor »
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand:
Submission to the New Zealand Government on their Draft Report for the Universal Periodic Review
17 March 2009
1) Amnesty International (AI) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the New Zealand Government’s draft report for
the Universal Periodic Review 2009, as well as the opportunity to attend and contribute to the respective consultations in Auckland,
Wellington and Christchurch recently.
2) The following concerns and recommendations are in addition to our submission to the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva
dated 10 November 2008. This submission responds to the Government’s draft report and notes key issues of concern with that
report. Background of Country (Section 2)
3) Paragraph 2.1: In terms of New Zealand’s constitutional and political structure, the Treaty of Waitangi does not form part of
New Zealand‘s legal system until it is explicitly referred to in legislation. Maori rights are not constitutionally protected in New
Zealand and are able to be extinguished by an Act of Parliament. This vulnerability was demonstrated clearly by the Foreshore
and Seabed Act 2004 (see point 10).
4) Paragraph 2.2: Amnesty International would welcome this paragraph explicitly noting that because the Cook Islands and Niue are
not United Nations member states, and New Zealand has only limited responsibility, these self-governing states, and their peoples,
are in practice excluded from the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. This could be useful in shortening the section.
Click here to read more»
Submission to the New Zealand Government on their Draft Report for the Universal Periodic Review
17 March 2009
1) Amnesty International (AI) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the New Zealand Government’s draft report for
the Universal Periodic Review 2009, as well as the opportunity to attend and contribute to the respective consultations in Auckland,
Wellington and Christchurch recently.
2) The following concerns and recommendations are in addition to our submission to the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva
dated 10 November 2008. This submission responds to the Government’s draft report and notes key issues of concern with that
report. Background of Country (Section 2)
3) Paragraph 2.1: In terms of New Zealand’s constitutional and political structure, the Treaty of Waitangi does not form part of
New Zealand‘s legal system until it is explicitly referred to in legislation. Maori rights are not constitutionally protected in New
Zealand and are able to be extinguished by an Act of Parliament. This vulnerability was demonstrated clearly by the Foreshore
and Seabed Act 2004 (see point 10).
4) Paragraph 2.2: Amnesty International would welcome this paragraph explicitly noting that because the Cook Islands and Niue are
not United Nations member states, and New Zealand has only limited responsibility, these self-governing states, and their peoples,
are in practice excluded from the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. This could be useful in shortening the section.
Click here to read more»
Human Rights Watch Letter to Pacific Island Forum Leaders
August 1, 2009
Dear Leaders,
We write to urge you and other leaders attending the 40th Leaders' Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Cairns from
August 5 to 6, 2009, to address the ongoing human rights violations in Fiji.[1]
At your 2004 meeting, PIF leaders issued a vision statement stating their objective to seek a Pacific region that is respected for its
“defense and promotion of human rights." This objective forms part of the good governance pillar of the Pacific Plan that was
endorsed by PIF leaders at their 2005 meeting. Using this vision as a basis, we urge PIF leaders to more strongly denounce the
ongoing violations of human rights in Fiji and identify solutions to tackle this serious problem.
We acknowledge that PIF leaders have taken a range of measures over the past two and a half years to try and convince Fiji to
return democratic governance in an acceptable time frame. The interim Fiji government ultimately dismissed these efforts, resulting
in Fiji’s suspension from the PIF on May 2, 2009. On suspending Fiji, PIF Chair Hon. Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue, said, “A
regime which displays such a total disregard for basic human rights, democracy and freedom has no place in the Pacific Islands
Forum.”
Click here to read more »
August 1, 2009
Dear Leaders,
We write to urge you and other leaders attending the 40th Leaders' Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in Cairns from
August 5 to 6, 2009, to address the ongoing human rights violations in Fiji.[1]
At your 2004 meeting, PIF leaders issued a vision statement stating their objective to seek a Pacific region that is respected for its
“defense and promotion of human rights." This objective forms part of the good governance pillar of the Pacific Plan that was
endorsed by PIF leaders at their 2005 meeting. Using this vision as a basis, we urge PIF leaders to more strongly denounce the
ongoing violations of human rights in Fiji and identify solutions to tackle this serious problem.
We acknowledge that PIF leaders have taken a range of measures over the past two and a half years to try and convince Fiji to
return democratic governance in an acceptable time frame. The interim Fiji government ultimately dismissed these efforts, resulting
in Fiji’s suspension from the PIF on May 2, 2009. On suspending Fiji, PIF Chair Hon. Toke Talagi, Premier of Niue, said, “A
regime which displays such a total disregard for basic human rights, democracy and freedom has no place in the Pacific Islands
Forum.”
Click here to read more »
Unity achieved under Pacific Islands Forum: Outgoing Chair
August 05, 2009
One of the most important things the Pacific island states have accomplished last year is the unity of Forum, Toke Talagi, Premier
of Niue and Outgoing Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) told Xinhua here Wednesday.
Despite of the Fiji issue, Toke Talagi said he is glad to see the Pacific island states have successfully achieved unity, during his
tenure as Chair of the Forum.
Talagi said, "I hope this year's forum will make important decisions with the respect of climate change and economic development
among island nations."
He expected that those decisions will "ensure the capacity to better develop resources that smaller island nations enjoy, such as
fishery, tourism so as to secure employment and wealth of the islands people."
Talagi hopes what the Forum has done with full participation of island nations would be sustainable in the longer term.
In the opening speech of 40th PIF, Talagi said that the onset of the global financial crisis imposed on the region a new challenge to
our Governments and peoples.
"This is a crisis with potentially devastating implications for our national and regional prosperity."
"Already the fundamentals of our economies including national abilities for revenue generation have been affected. Falling
remittances and weakened export demand have affected the performance of our external sectors while within local economies, low
production in the real sector has forced many job loses."
It makes it worse that our small geography and economic boundaries limit fiscal policy space, denying for many of us opportunities
for implementing stimulus packages, he said.
Talagi passed over the Chairmanship of PIF to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after the official opening of the 40th Forum
Wednesday.
Click here to read more »
August 05, 2009
One of the most important things the Pacific island states have accomplished last year is the unity of Forum, Toke Talagi, Premier
of Niue and Outgoing Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) told Xinhua here Wednesday.
Despite of the Fiji issue, Toke Talagi said he is glad to see the Pacific island states have successfully achieved unity, during his
tenure as Chair of the Forum.
Talagi said, "I hope this year's forum will make important decisions with the respect of climate change and economic development
among island nations."
He expected that those decisions will "ensure the capacity to better develop resources that smaller island nations enjoy, such as
fishery, tourism so as to secure employment and wealth of the islands people."
Talagi hopes what the Forum has done with full participation of island nations would be sustainable in the longer term.
In the opening speech of 40th PIF, Talagi said that the onset of the global financial crisis imposed on the region a new challenge to
our Governments and peoples.
"This is a crisis with potentially devastating implications for our national and regional prosperity."
"Already the fundamentals of our economies including national abilities for revenue generation have been affected. Falling
remittances and weakened export demand have affected the performance of our external sectors while within local economies, low
production in the real sector has forced many job loses."
It makes it worse that our small geography and economic boundaries limit fiscal policy space, denying for many of us opportunities
for implementing stimulus packages, he said.
Talagi passed over the Chairmanship of PIF to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after the official opening of the 40th Forum
Wednesday.
Click here to read more »
Urgent Action Required to Halt Decline in Pacific Languages Use
20/02/2007
There is an urgent need for further action to halt the decline in those Pacific Island languages where the majority of the population
live in New Zealand, says Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.
In a statement to mark UNESCO's International Mother Languages Day on Wednesday 21 February, Mr de Bres said that the
recently released results of the 2006 census showed that only 17% of Cook Islanders, 24% of Niueans and 41% of Tokelauans
living in New Zealand were able to speak their mother languages. These percentages have dropped a further 1-4% since the last
census in 2001.
"This is particularly worrying because when you look at the total number of Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans living in New
Zealand and their home islands, 91% of Niueans, 73% of Cook Islanders, and 83% of Tokelauans live in New Zealand. Only around
2,000 Niueans and 1,400 Tokelauans live in Niue and Tokelau, compared to 22,000 and nearly 7,000 respectively in New Zealand.
The critical mass of the populations live in New Zealand. Action to halt the decline and maintain the languages therefore has to be
taken here in cooperation with the Pacific Islands concerned. These languages are at risk not only in New Zealand but in the world."
"Because these countries have a special relationship with New Zealand, and their people effectively have New Zealand citizenship
status, the New Zealand government has a particular responsibility for their language protection and maintenance in the global
context. Language is an important part of identity and culture."
In 2004 when Niue celebrated its 30th anniversary as an independent nation in free association with New Zealand, the Government
made a commitment to assist Niue in maintaining its distinct culture and language.
Click here to read more »
20/02/2007
There is an urgent need for further action to halt the decline in those Pacific Island languages where the majority of the population
live in New Zealand, says Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres.
In a statement to mark UNESCO's International Mother Languages Day on Wednesday 21 February, Mr de Bres said that the
recently released results of the 2006 census showed that only 17% of Cook Islanders, 24% of Niueans and 41% of Tokelauans
living in New Zealand were able to speak their mother languages. These percentages have dropped a further 1-4% since the last
census in 2001.
"This is particularly worrying because when you look at the total number of Niueans, Cook Islanders and Tokelauans living in New
Zealand and their home islands, 91% of Niueans, 73% of Cook Islanders, and 83% of Tokelauans live in New Zealand. Only around
2,000 Niueans and 1,400 Tokelauans live in Niue and Tokelau, compared to 22,000 and nearly 7,000 respectively in New Zealand.
The critical mass of the populations live in New Zealand. Action to halt the decline and maintain the languages therefore has to be
taken here in cooperation with the Pacific Islands concerned. These languages are at risk not only in New Zealand but in the world."
"Because these countries have a special relationship with New Zealand, and their people effectively have New Zealand citizenship
status, the New Zealand government has a particular responsibility for their language protection and maintenance in the global
context. Language is an important part of identity and culture."
In 2004 when Niue celebrated its 30th anniversary as an independent nation in free association with New Zealand, the Government
made a commitment to assist Niue in maintaining its distinct culture and language.
Click here to read more »
NZ slams Niue over Indian workers
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
ALOFI (Pacnews) — New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has accused the Niuean government of human rights breaches for
its treatment of a group of Indian workers, reports TVNZ.
The 15 men went to the island two years ago after being promised work but they were the victims of an immigration scam.
They paid two Indian men between $16,313 and $28,339 to go to Niue and were told they would get land and earn lots of money
as farmers.
“He told us there is everything, big factories machines he said this is not different to New Zealand,” said Val Want Singh, one of
the Indian workers.
Instead what the men found was that work had dried up and they now live in a shanty run down house.
There are no bathrooms and the floors are just mud. They even have to go and collect wood to cook food in an open fire.
ONE News understands that the New Zealand government is extremely concerned at human rights breaches and has placed heavy
pressure on the Niuean government to sort the problem out.
“We’ve made it very clear that it’s completely unacceptable over quite a period of time. I’ve personally raised it, the ministers have
raised it, officials have raised it,” Clark said.
The message does appear to be getting through.
“We’d like to work with the New Zealand government as well and the International Organization for Migrants to see what we can
do to assist these people,” Niue Premier Toke Talagi said.
But the men said they cannot go home empty handed and want New Zealand to help them get their money back.
The local Niuean agent responsible for bringing the men into the island denies it was a scam.
Maru Talagi said he was expecting experienced farmers to work on his 300 acres and the men weren’t.
Talagi said he has not made any money on them, but rather put a lot of money in getting them to Niue.
In the meantime, for the men from India, their nightmare continues and unless they get their money back they can only dream of
going home. .
Click here to read more »
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
ALOFI (Pacnews) — New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has accused the Niuean government of human rights breaches for
its treatment of a group of Indian workers, reports TVNZ.
The 15 men went to the island two years ago after being promised work but they were the victims of an immigration scam.
They paid two Indian men between $16,313 and $28,339 to go to Niue and were told they would get land and earn lots of money
as farmers.
“He told us there is everything, big factories machines he said this is not different to New Zealand,” said Val Want Singh, one of
the Indian workers.
Instead what the men found was that work had dried up and they now live in a shanty run down house.
There are no bathrooms and the floors are just mud. They even have to go and collect wood to cook food in an open fire.
ONE News understands that the New Zealand government is extremely concerned at human rights breaches and has placed heavy
pressure on the Niuean government to sort the problem out.
“We’ve made it very clear that it’s completely unacceptable over quite a period of time. I’ve personally raised it, the ministers have
raised it, officials have raised it,” Clark said.
The message does appear to be getting through.
“We’d like to work with the New Zealand government as well and the International Organization for Migrants to see what we can
do to assist these people,” Niue Premier Toke Talagi said.
But the men said they cannot go home empty handed and want New Zealand to help them get their money back.
The local Niuean agent responsible for bringing the men into the island denies it was a scam.
Maru Talagi said he was expecting experienced farmers to work on his 300 acres and the men weren’t.
Talagi said he has not made any money on them, but rather put a lot of money in getting them to Niue.
In the meantime, for the men from India, their nightmare continues and unless they get their money back they can only dream of
going home. .
Click here to read more »
Represented by
Eleanor Thomson
Acting New Zealand High Commissioner
since 01 February 2010
Eleanor Thomson
Acting New Zealand High Commissioner
since 01 February 2010
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Anand Satyanand
Governor General of New Zealand
since 23 August 2006
Governor General of New Zealand
since 23 August 2006
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
