Niue

Niue is a self-governing state in ‘free association’ with New Zealand. Located in the South Pacific, it is part of the Realm of New Zealand, which means that we share the same Head of State, His Majesty the King in Right of New Zealand. Under the Niue Constitution Act 1974, New Zealand provides necessary economic and administrative assistance to Niue, as well as assistance with foreign affairs, defence and security if requested by the Niue government.

New Zealand’s engagement prioritises empowering the Government of Niue, to ensure the people of Niue lead prosperous, healthy, and safe lives connected to culture, land, and community. This is achieved primarily by partnering in the delivery of equitable and effective public services in Niue.
On 21 July 2022, the Governments of New Zealand and Niue signed a Statement of Partnership setting out the principles and priorities under which we will cooperate, coordinate and partner in shared priority areas.

Development cooperation and sustainability

Our goal is for an economically and socially prosperous Niue. New Zealand provides development assistance to Niue, including general budget support, infrastructure development and asset management. New Zealand also provides support for health, education, public sector strengthening, tourism and private sector development. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade plays a coordinating role for the wide range of New Zealand agencies and organisations providing assistance in Niue. New Zealand is the largest bilateral development partner to Niue.

A focus for New Zealand and Niue has been the upgrading of Niue’s aviation infrastructure, including the recently completed resurfacing of the runway at Hanan International Airport.

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme(external link) provides tertiary and short-term training scholarships to Niuean scholars.

The latest information on our development cooperation activities, including activity details and descriptions, start and end dates, geographic and sectoral focus, expenditure figures, is available at DevData(external link).

People and culture

Many people in New Zealand identify as Niuean and under New Zealand law, all Niueans are New Zealand citizens.

Niue uses Aotearoa New Zealand’s education curriculum and assessment systems and engages with New Zealand counterparts on delivery (Ministry of Education, New Zealand Qualifications Authority, and Education Review Office (ERO)).

New Zealand has committed to supporting the revitalisation of Vagahau Niue (Niuean language) through a partnership with Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Māori. Supporting Niue’s efforts to protect and revitalise Vagahau Niue preserves Niue’s unique cultural identify and is an area identified for cooperation under Aotearoa New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with Niue.

Trade and investment

Niue’s primary industry sector consists mainly of small-scale agriculture and industry processing of organic produce for export (honey, vanilla and noni juice). Consequently, Niue imports almost all of its needs (in particular food and fuel).

Niue’s tourism sector is a large contributor to the economy. It has been steadily growing as air services increase.

Niue’s currency is the New Zealand dollar.

The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with Niue is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

Both New Zealand and Niue have ratified the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations PACER Plus which entered into force on 13 December 2020.

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