Niue’s villages are the focus of Internet Niue’s current sponsorship programme. The IUSN Foundation that funds Internet Niue presents a $500 grant to each village council at the village’s annual show day. Foundation chief executive Per Darnell says the wifi service is free to villagers, but transmitters are normally hosted on land or buildings under … Read more …
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Speaking up for the Pacific
20 April 2013Internet Niue and its service provider RockET Systems have been speaking up in international forums on behalf of internet users in Niue and the wider Pacific. RockET director Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui says it’s important that the global internet community is constantly reminded of the internet access issues faced by small Pacific Islands. “Satellite connections such as … Read more …
Linking with our Pacific friends
22 November 2012Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui, director of Internet Niue’s service provider RockET Systems Limited, has been elected to the board of the Pacific Islands Chapter of the world-wide Internet Society (PICISOC). He will also serve as PICISOC secretary for two years. The chapter, which represents the interests of Oceania-Pacific internet users, seeks to provide impartial and relevant advice … Read more …
Fascinating Niue
Fruits of the forests
Photo: Pia Waugh
Forests make up 65-70% of the land area of Niue, although only about one sixth of this is primary forest.
Historically much of the forest was cleared for farming, but in recent years farming activity has reduced and many formerly farmed areas are reverting to secondary forest or scrub.
Mature forest has a high, closed canopy dominated by kolivao (Sysygium richii) and kafika (S. inophylloides), along with moota (Dysoxylum forsteri), kanumea (Planchonella torricellensis), tava (Pometia pinnata) and le (Macaranga seemanii). A range of climbers, other trees and ferns form the under-storey and ground layers. Coastal forest has a similar range of tree species with a more open scrub on the seaward margin dominated by salt-resistant trees and shrubs.
Niueans retain a close relationship with the forest, which provides timber for building, canoes and some carving, leaves and fruits used for food or medicinally. Three species of forest animal are of particular importance, the uga or coconut crab (Birgus latro), the peka or flying fox (Pteropus tonganus) and the lupe or Pacific pigeon (Ducula pacifica), all of which are hunted for food.
Source: National Biodiversity Strategy And Action Plan Of Niue, Government of Niue 2001
