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
Fragile economy
Photo: Tory Porter
The economic challenges experienced by Niue are common to other small island states within the Pacific. Geographic isolation, shortages of skilled professionals and entrepreneurial expertise, limited natural resources, poor soil quality and a small population hamper the development of an independent economy. Cyclones occasionally devastate the island’s infrastructure, including housing and tourist facilities.
Eco-tourism and the export of sustainable organic foods – such as vanilla (flower picture above) and nonu – provide the government with opportunities to expand the island’s economy and to balance the budget.
However export agriculture, like tourism, is vulnerable to disruption by bad weather.
Sources: www.dfat.gov.au/geo/niue/niue_brief.html and www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Niue.php#poloverview
