Niue
Niue is an island located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as "Rock of Polynesia". Although it is self-governing, it is in free association with New Zealand. Niue is located 2,400 kilometres north-east of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
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History
Main article: History of Niue
European involvement in Niue began in 1774 with Captain James Cook's sighting (landing was refused) of what he named Savage Island.
The next major arrival was the London Missionary Society in 1846. Briefly a protectorate, the UK's involvement was passed on in 1901 when New Zealand annexed the island. Independence in the form of self-government was granted by the New Zealand parliament in the 1974 constitution.
In January, 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical storm Cyclone Heta which killed two people and did extensive damage to the entire island.
Politics
Main article: Politics of 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. In practice, 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 assembly consists of twenty democratically elected members, fourteen by the electors of village constituencies. The remaining six are elected the same way, except several constituencies are combined for each seat. Electors must be New Zealand citizens resident for at least three months, and candidates must have been electors resident for twelve months. The speaker is elected from among the members.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Niue
Geography
Main article: Geography of Niue
Niue is an island of a tropical climate located in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga. It is one of world's largest coral islands. The terrain of Niue consists of steep limestone cliffs along the coast with a central plateau. Most rainfall occurs between November and April.
The geographic cordinates of Niue are 19° 02′ S, 169° 52′ W.
Defence and Foreign affairs
Niue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defence; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue. Niue has no regular indigenous military forces.
Related topics
External links
- Niuean Government site (http://www.gov.nu/)
- Niue National Telecommunications Policy 2003 (http://www.gov.nu/telecom/policy.htm)
- Internet Users Society Niue site (http://www.niue.nu/)
- National Internet access information at the IUS-N site (http://www.niue.nu/access.html)
- .nu domain name registry site (http://www.nunames.nu/about/about.cfm)
- Electionworld file on Niue (http://www.electionworld.org/niue.htm)
- Map of Niue (http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/niue/index.html)
- Register article which mentions the impact of the cyclone (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/01/15/niue_is_dead_long_live/)
| Countries in Oceania |
| Australia | East Timor | Fiji | Kiribati | Marshall Islands | Federated States of Micronesia | Nauru | New Zealand | Palau | Papua New Guinea | Samoa | Solomon Islands | Tonga | Tuvalu | Vanuatu |
| Other political units: American Samoa | Cook Islands | Easter Island | French Polynesia | Guam | Hawaii | Maluku Islands | Midway Atoll | New Caledonia | Niue | Norfolk Island | Northern Mariana Islands | Papua (Indonesia) | Pitcairn Islands | Tokelau | Wake Island | Wallis and Futuna | West Timor |
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| Cook Islands | Niue | Ross Dependency | Tokelau | |
ca:Niue de:Niue es:Niue eo:Niuo fr:Niue ja:ニウエ nl:Niue no:Niue pl:Niue pt:Niue ru:Ниуэ sl:Niue fi:Niue sv:Niue
Categories: Niue | Polynesia | Oceanic dependencies | Freely associated states | New Zealand-Pacific relations