Niueans have New Zealand citizenship and as such, Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state. About 90% of the population live in New Zealand.
Education is compulsory for children from ages 5-14 years. Health care services are also free in this island country. Rugby union. Football, netball, golf etc. are the popular sports in the country.
Niuean and English are the two languages spoken in the country. 30% of the population are bilingual (they speak both languages) while others are Monolingual with 11% speaking only English while about 46% speak only Niuean.
More than 65% of the population are members of the congregational Christian church of Niue. Mormons constitute 10% of the population, 10% adhere to Catholicism, 1% are Seventh-Day Adventists, 2% are Jehova witnesses, 1% are Methodists, 2% are unaffiliated while 6% practice other religions.
The economy of the country is dependent on fishing, Agriculture, and tourism. Agriculture is an important aspect in the Niuean culture. Taro, yam, kumara, different species of banana, tapioca, cassava, passionfruit, lime, coconut, vanilla etc. are the main products grown in the country. Many families grow their own food and sell their surplus in Alofi market.
Road, air, and water transport systems are the means to move in and out of Niue. There is an international airport known as Niue International Airport in which Air New Zealand is the only serving airline there.
The weather of Niue is tropical with a warmer period and rainy period from November to April, and a cooler and drier period from May to October. In the warmer period, sometimes the temperature exceeds 35 °C (95 °F), while in the cooler period at night it can drop below 15 °C (59 °F), especially in July and August.
The country records about 3,000 visitors annually of which about 70% of them are new Zealanders. There are several tourist attractions in Niue some of which are;
- Avatele Beach: This is the largest beach in the country. It is located in Avatele village in the southwest coast. It is a very popular place in the country as locals and tourists come there to relax and swim.
- Limu Pools: This pool is a very popular place too and it is a beautiful sight to behold. It has very clear blue waters and it is ideal for snorkeling. There are few fishes in the water too.
- Talava Arches: See the beauty of Mother Nature as you walk through the arch. The water is so clear and the view is stunningly beautiful. It is really a sight to behold.
The best time to visit the country is from Mid-June to Mid-September. When in Niue, there are a variety of hotels and apartments to stay in.
