rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
96
proportion of the Pacific Island population
in New Zealand, thus explaining their inclusion
in a number of key studies on drug and
alcohol consumption there.
According to 2001 Census data, the population
of Niue comprises 78.2 per cent Niuean, 10.2
per cent other Pacific Islander, 4.5 per cent
European, 3.9 per cent mixed, 0.2 per cent
Asian and 3 per cent unspecified ethnicity. 444
The majority of Niueans (61 per cent) are
members of the Ekalesia Niue Church, with the
balance made up of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons),
Roman Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
Seventh-Day Adventists and other unspecified
religions, with only 1.9 per cent nominating
‘no religion’ in the 2001 Census. 445 In contrast
to other Pacific countries, there is no mention
in the literature of religion playing a regulating
role in alcohol and other drug consumption.
Government
Since 1974 Niue has been self-governing,
in free association with New Zealand. While
the Niue Government is fully responsible for
internal affairs, New Zealand retains responsibility
for external affairs and defence. 446
Niue’s most recent elections were held in
June 2008, resulting in a change in government.
447 The Premier, currently Toke Talagi,
is elected by the Legislative Assembly and
heads a Cabinet of three ministers. 448 Niue
is dependent on New Zealand to address the
shortfall between revenue and government
expenditure, a large portion of which is used to
pay wages to public employees. However, Niue
has cut government expenditure by reducing
the public service by almost half. 449
Health and development
No data for Niue were included in the UNDP
health and development data report for 2007–
08. However, challenges for Niue are similar to
other PICTs. These include: isolation; limited
natural resources and transport; poor communications;
and a lack of skilled labour. 450
A distinguishing feature of Niue is that, unlike
other PICTs, its residents have access to New
Zealand and, consequently, Australia. This may
contribute to an explanation for reports that
Niue has zero poverty, as compared with 38
per cent in Kiribati. 451 Despite such reports,
agriculture is at subsistence levels and manufacturing
is limited. Niue is highly dependent
on New Zealand aid with limited employment
prospects and high rates of migration. 452
444 The authors identified documents referring to a 2006 Niue Census, but no data reports
were located.
445 CIA above, fn.440.
446 Ibid.
447 Above, fn.442.
448 CIA above, fn.440.
449 Ibid.
450 Above, fn.442.
451 R. Robertson (2007), Regionalism in the Pacific: a new development strategy. Suva: University
of the South Pacific, Pacific Institute of Advanced Studies in Development and Governance.
Available at: (accessed March 2009).
452 Above, fn.442.