Niue National Capacity development strategy and action plan

Abstract

Niue is the world’s largest single raised coral atoll which rests on a seamount with the surrounding ocean depths reaching up to 4000m. Niue is located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean at latitude 19o south and longitude 169o west. The total land area for Niue is 259km2, with an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 39,000km2. Niue is free governing state from New Zealand since 1974 with its own Parliament made of 20 elected members from the 14 village communities and 6 urban seats. These members of parliament deliberate and manage the affairs of the country in a Westminster Parliamentary system. The annual budget over the last 5 years averages just over NZD $14m with the New Zealand Government providing just over a third, while the remainder is financed from the national economy. The economy is largely dependent on overseas aid, with no realistic prospect of economic self-reliance. However, there is a modest export production mainly comprising of taro and coconuts to New Zealand. Agriculture, fisheries and forestry are at subsistence levels with current government policy focusing on ecotourism and private sector development.