Niue
Introduction
Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the adjacent Cook Islands, has caused it to be separately administered by New Zealand. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to an estimated 1,229 in 2013) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest
Capital
Alofi
Official Languages
Niuean, English
Currency
New Zealand dollars (NZD)
Geography
Location
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Area
Total: 260 Sq km Land: 260 sq km Water: 0 sq km
Climate
Tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Land use
Agricultural land: 19.1%arable land 3.8%; permanent crops 11.5%; permanent pasture 3.8%forest: 71.2%other: 9.7% (2011 est.)
Economy
Overview
The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
Agriculture Products
Coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Industries
Handicrafts, food processing
Exports Commodities
Canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Imports Commodities
Food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Useful Links
Government of Niue
Niue chamber of commerce
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