The Government of Niue

⁰¹Parliament

Free Association with the Government of New Zealand since 1974.

Following a plea from British missionaries and island leaders, the island became a British Protectorate at the turn of the 20th century. Shortly thereafter, in an agreement with the British government, New Zealand took over responsibility for Niue in 1901. The island remained a territory of New Zealand until October 1974 when it adopted self-rule, but continues to retain New Zealand citizenship, a contributing factor in the large presence of Niueans in Auckland.

Niue’s system of government is based on the Westminster system. The Niue Assembly consists of 20 members, 14 of whom are elected by village constituencies and 6 from the common roll. The 20 members elect a Prime Minister and the Prime Minister selects three cabinet ministers from the 19. Members elect a Speaker from outside their ranks. A general election is held every three years.

For the Electoral System, the last general election was held on 29 April 2023. Of the 20 Niue Assembly members, six were being elected for Common Roll members and fourteen from village constituencies.

⁰²Elected Representatives

Alofi South

Hon Dalton Tagelagi

Alofi North

Tutuli Heka

Makefu

Tofua Puletama

Tuapa

Hon Esa Mona Ainu'u

Namukulu

Silipea Sione

Hikutavake

Ian Hipa

Toi

Hon Dion Paki Taufitu

Mutalau

Florence Maureen Vilitama-Melekitama

Lakepa

Rhonda Tiakia

Liku

Logopati Seumanu

Hakupu

Ritchie Mautama

Vaiea

Talaititama Talaiti

Avatele

Pita Poimamao Vakanofiti

Tamakautoga

Ricky Muiakituki Makani

Common Roll

Hon Crossley Tatui

Common Roll

Emani Haile Selessie Fakaotimanava-Lui

Common Roll

Kahealani S Sinahemana Hekau

Common Roll

Hon Billy Graham Talagi

Common Roll

Hon O'Love Jacobsen

Common Roll

Hon Sonya Manogitaumaife Talagi

⁰³Speaker of the Assembly

Hon Hima Douglas

Office of the Speaker

⁰⁴Fale Fono

27 May, 2022

Introducing Fale Fono II Halamahaga, Alofi

Members of the 17th Niue Assembly at the Opening of Fale Fono II

⁰⁵Political System

Government and Political System

Since 1974, Niue is a self-governing strate in free association with New Zealand. Niue is one of the three states in the Realm of New Zealand. The Constitution of Niue came into force on 19 October 1974. It includes the Niue Constitution Act 1974 and the Niue Constitution. The Constitution of Niue is the supreme law of Niue.

Head of State

The Head of State is His Majesty King Charles III in right of New Zealand, represented by the Governor‑General of New Zealand in relation to Niue. In practice, the King and the Governor-General have little to do with Niue and executive authority is exercised on behalf of His Majesty by the Niue Cabinet of Ministers.

Executive

The executive authority of His Majesty is exercised on his behalf by the Niue Cabinet of Ministers, which comprises the Prime Minister and three other members of the Niue Assembly. Cabinet is constitutionally responsible for exercising the general authority of Niue and has the general direction and control of the executive government of Niue.

The Prime Minister is the leader of the government and the chair of Cabinet. He is elected by the Niue Assembly members at the Assembly’s first meeting after a general election. Election is by an absolute majority of the members present and voting at that Assembly meeting. The Prime Minister nominates three members of the Assembly for appointment as Ministers and allocates portfolios among the members of Cabinet.

Legislative Assembly

The Niue Constitution establishes the Niue Legislative Assembly. The Assembly consists of 20 Members elected by secret ballot under a system of universal suffrage. These 20 members are elected by way of 14 members to represent each village, and six members elected from the Common Roll that comprises the rolls of all the village constituencies (a national roll). General elections are held every 3 years, and the voting age is 18 years. The Speaker of the Assembly is elected by the Assembly members at the Assembly’s first meeting after a general election.

The conduct of the Assembly is governed by the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Assembly. A Bill becomes law if it has been discussed in the Assembly and formally approved at three readings at which a minimum of 10 members present. All Bills introduced into the Assembly and all Acts are in written in both Vagahau Niue and English.

Niue Laws

The Niue Assembly enacts laws for Niue. The sources of Niuean laws are, in order of priority:

Prior to 1974, there were Acts of the New Zealand parliament that extended to Niue. Some of these laws remain and have not been repealed. Their status is now that of Acts of the Niue Assembly.

The Constitution provides that a New Zealand Act may apply to Niue as a result of New Zealand legislation after 1974 only if expressly requested and consent to by a resolution of the Assembly, and if the New Zealand Act declares that the request and consent procedure was followed. The Niue Assembly has not made any such requests in this era.

Judiciary

The judiciary comprises the High Court of Niue, the Court of Appeal of Niue and the Privy Council. The High Court of Niue has 3 divisions; criminal, civil and land.

The Chief Justice and other judges are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of Cabinet. Judges are typically New Zealand based judges of the New Zealand Māori Land Court. The Niue High Court convenes twice a year and the judges travel to Niue for these sittings.

At the lowest level in the system are the Justices of the Peace. Two of them acting together have the same jurisdiction as a Commissioner of the High Court. Where cases are heard by a Commissioner or two Justices of the Peace, appeal may be made to a Judge of the High Court