Fascinating Niue
Noni plantation to expand
22 April 2013Niue’s organic noni farm will stay in business despite one of its owners, the Reef Group, going into receivership in November 2012. In mid-2011 a group of Chinese businesspeople from New Zealand made arrangements to take large quantities of noni juice from Niue, the Cook Islands and Samoa. The Vaiea farm, a joint venture between … Read more …
Niue blue, our national butterfly
24 July 2012Niue has an endemic butterfly (one found nowhere else in the world) known as the Niue blue. It was discovered by Gold Coast school teacher and butterfly collector Rob Lachlan in December 2009. The discovery of Nacaduba niueensis surprised the scientific community as the flora and fauna of the Pacific Islands has been well researched … Read more …
Vanilla growers wanted
8 July 2012Vanilla beans from Niue have a reputation for high quality, but there are not enough beans produced to meet market demand. Niue Vanilla International sells its certified organic vanilla to Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand and is working on a deal with Japan. Owner Stanley Kalauni says the business is flourishing but … Read more …
Big internet access
1 March 2011Because it has free internet, Niue has the highest level of internet penetration per head of population in the Pacific. According to independent research by Budde Consultancy, free internet access is available to 65% of Niuean households, compared with 2% in Papua New Guinea, 8% in Vanuatu, 12% in Fiji, 26% in Palau, 30% in … Read more …
Pule power
5 December 2010Niue-born John Pule is one of the Pacific’s most distinguished contemporary artists. A poet and novelist, his work has featured in many exhibitions in Australia, New Zealand, Korea, South Africa and the United States. In 2004 the New Zealand Arts Foundation awarded him a Laureate for his achievements. In the 2012 Queens Birthday honours he … Read more …
Visit during winter
29 November 2010When the weather gets cold and unpleasant in New Zealand, it’s the ideal time to have a holiday in Niue. From April to November – the dry season – the climate is relatively balmy (by NZ standards) with an average temperature of 24 deg C. From November, the east-southeast trade winds give way to the … Read more …
Musical Che
29 November 2010Che Fu, of Niue and Maori descent, is one of New Zealand’s most successful vocalists. At the 1997 New Zealand Music Awards he won Single of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year; and in 2002 he was winner of the following categories: Top Male Vocalist, R&B and Hip-Hop, People’s … Read more …
Top 10 muso
29 November 2010How Bizarre, New Zealand’s biggest selling record of all time, was written by OMC (Otara’s Millionaires Club) front man Pauly Fuemana who is of Niuean and Maori descent. It went to number one in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Austria. It topped the United States airplay charts and was number two on … Read more …
Dance and songs
29 November 2010The culture and tradition of Niue is rich in music, with many traditional songs sung without musical accompaniment. Dances and songs feature at weddings, official ceremonies and other important events, with a wooden drum known as the palau or nafa made out of the carved trunk of the selie tree used to provide the beat. … Read more …
Two-way gift-giving
29 November 2010If you’re visiting Niue on business or to meet the locals, don’t forget to pack some small gifts. On Niue, gifts signal esteem and friendship and are frequently exchanged in both formal and informal settings. While the locals don’t necessarily expect gifts to be immediately reciprocated, as a visitor who may not return to the … Read more …
