HISTORY
Most of the inhabitants of Niue descend
from settlers from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, who arrived between
AD 600-1000, developing their own particular culture. The first
Europeans reached Niue in the wake of Captain Cook’s expedition
to the region in 1774. Administered by the London Missionary Society
from 1846, it became a British Protectorate in 1900. The island
was then formally annexed to New Zealand in 1901, as part of the
Cook Islands. In October 1974, Niue was granted ‘self-government
in free association with New Zealand’, making it the smallest
self-governing state with that status. This also allows Niueans
to retain New Zealand citizenship while maintaining self-government
in their own country.
Politics
on the island have only become organised in the last few years.
The only formal political party is the Niue People’s Action
Party (NPAP), which has come to dominate politics on the island
since its formation in 1987. Robert Rex, who was not a party member,
stayed in office for ten years, latterly with the support of NPAP
members. Rex died in December 1992 and was replaced by Mititaigimimene
Young Vivian, who held the office until the next legislative election
held in February 1993. After these, Frank Lui was elected premier
to replace Vivian. With a narrow majority of just two seats, the
Lui government proved somewhat unstable during its term of office
but survived until February 1996, when it was re-elected. The
NPAP has remained in control of the government ever since –
Sani Lakatani took over the premiership following the 1999 election
and the veteran Young Vivian took over once again, at the most
recent poll in April 2002.
