Niue Fact Sheet
Airlines
Air New Zealand services Niue with weekly flights from Auckland. Approximate flight time from Auckland is 3 hours.
Airport
Niue’s International Airport, Hanan, is east of Alofi.
Banking
The Westpac bank at Alofi changes travellers cheques and exchanges foreign currency, and is open weekdays from 9am to 3pm. Credit cards can be used at main hotels and at car rental agencies.
Climate
The wet season is from December to March, and the dry season from April to November.
Communications
The post office and Telecom office are in the Commercial Centre. Telecom is open 24hrs. Niue radio broadcasts at 91MHz and 102MHz FM from 6am. TV starts broacasting at 6pm, and closes down at 11pm. The weekly Niue Star is the island's paper.
Culture
Niue is a traditional Polynesian society and the people are devoutly religious. Sunday is a day of rest and many activities, including diving, boating and fishing, are forbidden. Traditional customs are still very much a way of life, with initiation ceremonies for girls and boys entering adulthood. The kaloama spawning season, from January to May, is another traditional custom. Beaches and reef swimming holes are closed during this time and a fono (fishing ban) enforced.
Currency
The New Zealand dollar. There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.
Customs
A current passport is required, but visas are not required by bona fide tourists staying less than 30 days with return or onward tickets and sufficient funds for the length of stay. Extensions are available by applying to the
Immigration Office before arrival, PO Box 67, Alofi. Duty free per person is 200 cigarettes or 227g of tobacco or 50 cigars, 3 bottles of spirits, 1 bottle of wine, 1 bottle of liqueur (ie 1125ml). Restricted exports are artefacts, coral and valuable shells.
Departure Tax
NZ$20.
Dress
Comfortable, lightweight clothing suitable for a tropical climate. Wearing swimwear in the villages and town is not accepted other than at swimming areas. A pareu (sarong) is often worn around swimwear in public.
Driving/Roads
here are 123km (76 miles) of paved roads in Niue including the 67km route that encircles the island. Driving is on the left. Taxis are available, and vehicles can be hired from several rental companies on the island. A local licence may be obtained from the Niue Police Department on presentation of your national drivers licence for NZ$10. Driving is on the lefthand side of the road, with a speed limit of 40km/h in town, and 60km/h between villages.
Electricity
240V AC, 50 HZ. Plugs and sockets are the three-prong style used in NZ/Australia.
Emergencies
For police, fire or ambulance, dial 999.
Food
Traditional fiafia (dancing and feasting) nights are a popular way to sample local food. There also several licensed restaurants, cafés and takeaway food bars.
Health
The hospital is located in south Alofi. Drinking water is from natural spring and rain water but there is bottled water if preferred.
History
Legends tell of the first settlement by Huanaki and Fao, together with the Fire Gods from Fonuagalo (Hidden Land). Centuries ago Polynesian settlers from Tonga, Samoa and Pukapuka Island in the Cook Islands gave Niue the name of Motusefua (island on its own). The English navigator James Cook sighted Niue in 1774, but was refused landing by the locals. He then named Niue ‘Savage Island’. Missionaries from the London Missionary Society established Christianity in 1846. Niue chiefs gained British Protectorate status in 1900, and in 1901 Niue was annexed to New Zealand. In 1974 Niue gained independence in free association with New Zealand.
Language
Niuean and English are widely spoken. The following Niuean words are handy to learn:
Hello = Fakaalofa lahi atu
Thank you = Fakaue lahi
Please = Fakamolemole
Eat = Kai
Drink = Inu
Good luck = Kia monuina
House = Fale
Medical Services
The Lord Liverpool Hospital in south Alofi offers medical and dental treatment and there is a 24-hour on-call emergency service.
Politics
Niue has a democratically elected government with 20 members in the Legislative Assembly. The Permier is selected by the House and then the Premier selects three other members for Cabinet posts.
Religion
The Church of the Protestant Ekalesia Niue. Other deonominations include Roman Catholic, Mormon, Baha'i, Seventh Day Adventist and Jehovah's Witness. Sunday is a day of rest and worship and visitors are asked to be considerate of Sunday protocol. Activities such as boating and fishing are not permitted on Sunday but it is permissible to go swimming, sightseeing and to play golf.
Shopping
Supermarkets and stores are located in Alofi and open Monday to Friday from 8am–4pm. They stock a full range of groceries, frozen goods and hardware. The villages also have one or two stores which open during early mornings or evenings. Village residents will be able to direct you to the nearest shop.
Sport and Recreation
Gymnasiums can be found in Alofi, Mutalau, Hakupu and Avatele. Visitors are welcome to join in with local sports events. These include ‘ta kilikili' (traditional cricket), softball, volleyball, netball, rugby, rugby league, touch football, tennis and golf. The Niue Golf and Sports Club, known locally as Top Club, welcomes visitors and has facilities for golf and tennis plus a bar.
Tipping
Tipping is not encouraged.
Transport (Domestic)
Rental cars, mopeds and motorbikes are available for hire. Taxis are also available and charge 50c a kilometre. Guided tours take visitors to points of interest and scenic attractions.
Visitor Information PO Box 42, Alofi, Niue.