World Factbook
Niue
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: yellow with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant; the UK flag has five yellow five-pointed stars, with a large star on a blue disk in the center and smaller stars on each arm of the red cross meaning: the large star represents Niue, and the smaller stars symbolize links with New Zealand; yellow stands for sunshine, as well as the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand
Capital
name
Alofi
etymology
a traditional name for an area of the island; became the name for the newly declared capital in the 20th century
time difference
UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
19 01 S, 169 55 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
history
several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974)
amendment process
proposed by the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and approval by at least two-thirds majority votes in a referendum; passage of amendments to a number of sections, including Niue’s self-governing status, British nationality and New Zealand citizenship, external affairs and defense, economic and administrative assistance by New Zealand, and amendment procedures, requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and at least two thirds of votes in a referendum
Country name
note
note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee
former
Savage Island
etymology
the origin of the name is obscure; in Niuean, the word translates as "behold the coconut;" the former name, Savage Island, was the result of an acrimonious meeting in 1774 between English explorer Captain James COOK and local people
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Niue
Independence
19 October 1974 (Niue became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand)
Legal system
English common law
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Judicial branch
note
note: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the final appeal court beyond the Niue Court of Appeal
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court
judge selection and term of office
Niue chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet chosen by the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Mark GIBBS (since 5 March 2024)
election results
Dalton TAGELAGI reelected prime minister; Legislative Assembly vote - Dalton TAGELAGI (independent) 16, O'Love JACOBSEN (independent) 4
head of government
Prime Minister Dalton TAGELAGI; also referred to as premier (since 10 June 2020)
most recent election date
8 May 2023
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly for a 3-year term
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Dependency status
self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; under the Niue Constitution Act of 1974, New Zealand provides necessary economic and administrative assistance to Niue, as well as assistance with foreign affairs, defense, and security if requested
National color(s)
yellow
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
term in office
3 years
number of seats
20
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Niue Assembly (Fono Ekepule)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
29 April 2023
expected date of next election
April 2026
percentage of women in chamber
15%
parties elected and seats per party
independents (20)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
in use since 1745
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
yellow five-pointed star
Administrative divisions
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 14 villages are considered second-order
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US
note
note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Niue
embassy
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
International organization participation
ACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO