Niue Governance Information

Type of Government:

Niue is a self-governing parliamentary democracy, in free association with New Zealand and is fully responsible for internal affairs. New Zealand retains some responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with Niue.

Capital city:

Alofi

Administrative Divisions:

none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order

Population:

1,444 (July 2008 est.)

Independence:

on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand

Political Parties:

Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]

Year of current Constitution:

19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)

Head of State:

Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II

Governor General :

Anand Satyanand (since 5 August 2006) (Note this is the Governor General of New Zealand)

Cabinet Ministers:

Premier Hon Mititaiagimene Young Vivian
 Legislative Assembly
Cabinet and Premier's Department
Civil Aviation
Crown Law Office
Economic Planning Development and Statistics
External Affairs and Niuean Abroad
Niue Broadcasting Corporation
Niue Public Service Commission
Finance, Customs and Revenue
Police, Prison and National Security
Environment
Niue Tourism
Public Works - Civil and Quarry, Outside Services and Heavy Plant


Hon Fisa Igilisi Pihigia

Health
Community Affairs, Village Councils, Religious Affairs, Youth and Sports
Meteorological Service / Climate Change
Non Government Organisations
Niue Power and Energy
Bulk Fuel
Disaster Management
Administration, NTDC and ISO


Hon Bill Vakaafi Motufoou

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Niue Development Bank
Shipping Investment and Trade
Post and Telecommunications
Business Sector
Private Sector
Immigration
Public Works - Housing, Water and Building


Hon Va'aiga Tukuitonga

Education
Women's Affairs
Taoga Niue and Culture
Justice, Lands and Survey

Departments:

Administrative Service
Director Mrs Wennie Salatielu (Acting)

Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Director Mr Brendon Pasisi

Community Affairs
Director Mr Fa’apoi Akesi
Library Officer Ms Amanda Heka

Education
Director Mrs Loseligi Siakimotu

Environment & Biodiversity
Director Mr Sauni Tongatule

Health
Director Dr Karaponi Okesene - Gafa

Justice, Lands & Survey
Secretary for Justice Mr Togia Sioneholo

Meteorology & Climate Change
Director:  Mr Sionetasi Pulehetoa

Police
Chief of Police: Mr Ross Ardern

Premier’s
Secretary to Government: Mr Crossley Tatui
Deputy Secretary to Government: Mr Justin Kamupala

Public Works
Director Mr Deve Talagi

Treasury
Financial Secretary Mike Flemming
Chief Accountant Doug

Parliament:

The Assembly has 20 members elected for a three year term.

Electoral System:

Plurality/Majority (First-Past-the-Post)

Most recent election:

30 April 2005

Previous elections:

Not available

Political Parties:

Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP; In Niue political parties do not play a defining role.

Judicial System:

Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue.

Attorney General:

Sioneholo, Togia (Secretary of Justice, Lands, and Survey; Acting Attorney General)

Chief of Police:

Mr Ross Ardern

Chairperson of the Public Service Commission:

Mrs Taumalua Jackson

Military:

Defense is the responsibility of New Zealand - no regular indigenous military forces.

International Memberships

African, Caribbean , and Pacific Group of States (ACP)

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

Intelsat (nonsignatory user)

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (Sparteca)

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

University of the South Pacific (USP)

World Health Organisation (WHO)

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Sources:

(1)Cabinet Ministers - Niue
http://www.gov.nu/Cabinet_Ministers/MenuId/101.aspx