Internet Niue congratulates the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative for reaching agreement with the Government of Niue on the continuation of the scheme. In November last year the Niue Ministry of Education announced that the island was pulling out of the scheme because the ongoing costs of maintaining the laptops and the satellite link … Read more …
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Supporting a balanced lifestyle
31 January 2012The Niue Athletics Association (NAA) has thanked Internet Niue for its past sponsorship support. Former NAA president TaniRose Fakaotimanava-Lui says Internet Niue made an invaluable contribution to the Niue Athletics Association during her term as president from 2007-2011. The current president is Roz Tafatu-Hipa. “Without Internet Niue’s help, NAA wouldn’t have been able to attend … Read more …
Niue artist explores the Pacific and the personal
15 January 2012Niue artist John Pule is exhibiting his works at Auckland Art Gallery until 21 January. The show covers 20 years of his work — since he began exhibiting in the 1990’s. One of the few major New Zealand artists who has had no formal training and little education, he developed his art as a way … 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, 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
