Niue
Niue is an island located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as "Rock of Polynesia". Although it is self-governing it is in free association with New Zealand and is not regarded as an independent state. Niue is located 2,400 Kilometers north-east of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
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2 Politics 3 Geography 4 Defence and Foreign affairs 5 Related topics 6 External links |
European involvement in Niue began in 1774 with Captain James Cook's sighting (landing was refused) of what he named Savage Island.
The next major arrival was the London Missionary Society in 1846. Briefly a protectorate, the UK's involvement was passed on in 1901 when New Zealand annexed the island. Independence in the form of self-government was granted by the New Zealand parliament in the 1974 constitution.
The Niue Constitution Act 1974 (NZ) vests executive authority in Her Majesty the Queen in Right of New Zealand and the Governor-General of New Zealand. In practice, the constitution specifies that in every day practice, it is exercised by a Cabinet of the Premier of Niue and three other ministers. The premier and ministers must be members of the Niue Assembly, the nation's legislative assembly.
The assembly consists of 20 democratically elected members, 14 by the electors of village constituencies. The remaining 6 are elected the same way, except several constituencies are combined for each seat. Electors must be New Zealand citizens resident for at least 3 months, and candidates must have been electors resident for 12 months. The speaker is elected from among the members.
Niue is an island of a tropical climate located in the southern Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga.
Most rainfall falls between November and April.
Niue has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defence; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue. Niue has no regular indigenous military forces.
History
Main article: History of NiuePolitics
Main article: Politics of NiueGeography
Main article: Geography of Niue
Defence and Foreign affairs
Related topics
External links
