Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Niue

Data code NE

Dependency status self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs

Government type self-governing parliamentary democracy

National capital Alofi

Administrative divisions none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages each with its own village council whose members are elected and serve three-year terms

Independence on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand

National holiday Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)

Constitution 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)

Legal system English common law

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952); the queen and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Warren SEARELL (since NA August 1993)
head of government: Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (since 12 March 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999)
election results: Frank Fakaotimanava LUI elected premier; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPP 9, independents 11

Judicial branch Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue

Political parties and leaders Niue People's Action Party (NPP), Young VIVIAN

International organization participation ESCAP (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

Flag description yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross

NOTE: The information regarding Niue on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Niue Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Niue Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.