Story: Niueans

Niue has such a small population that retaining a critical mass of people is vital for the continued survival of the community. Its population was just beginning to show signs of stabilisation with the establishment of a small tourism industry and vanilla farming when Cyclone Heta’s massive waves and high winds hit in January 2004. They destroyed much of the islands infrastructure and killed a mother and her baby son.

Niuean-born population in New Zealand and Niue, 1951–2001

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A young Niuean at his hair-cutting ceremony

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