New Flags Flying - Pacific Leaders Remember
Part 7 Niue
Significant events since independence
1979 Serious hurricane strikes Niue
1989 Cyclone Ofa strikes, causing serious damage
1992 Sir Robert Rex dies after serving as Niue’s first Premier 1975–1992.
2004 Cyclone Heta, one of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike Niue, causes immense damage
2004 New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Phil Goff speculates that Niue’s self-governing status in free association with New Zealand might come into question if too few residents live on the island for basic services to be maintained. Soon afterwards, Niue’s then Premier, Hon. Young Vivian, rejects the possibility of altering the existing relationship with New Zealand
2006 Smaller Island States Unit established at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Suva, to serve the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau and Tuvalu
2008 Lonely Planet says Niue’s population has fallen to about 1300.