Where is Niue?
A world away… in the heart of the South Pacific you will have more than you need to be more than comfortable, but you’ll also rediscover what has been lost in the modern world. With a population of less than 2,000, Niue has an island charm that is maintained by friendly, welcoming locals. Located north-east of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, the island is only a 3 flight from Auckland.
When should I go?
Niue is a tropical island, warm during the day with a pleasant drop in temperature at night. Like all Pacific tropical islands, Niue has two seasons. The dry season is from April till November (averaging 20-28 degrees) and the wetter season is from December to March (averaging 22-30 degrees).
Shopping
Niuean women are known for the quality of their weaving, producing hats, baskets and mats from plants such as pandanus which are all excellent buys. They can be found at a few shops and also at village show days.
Food & Water
Remember the food adage "Cook it, Peel it, Boil it…or Avoid it!” Tap water should not be consumed. It is advisable to boil drinking water. Local purified and mineral waters are available. Bottled water is quite readily available; however always check the seal on the bottled water, as it is not uncommon to find bottles that have been refilled from the local tap.
A variety of Polynesian and European food is available in Niue. Naturally, many tropical fruits grow and depending upon the season most can be bought at the local market run every Tuesday and Friday morning in central Alofi, the capital. Traditional local foods consist of coconut crab, taro, breadfruit, cassava, and shellfish. Niueans are traditionally very fussy eaters – their standards of quality and preparation are very high, and they are extremely proud of this.
Most villages have a small shop selling simple necessities. Alofi has several grocers and supermarkets but their hours vary. We strongly recommend that if staying in a motel or you plan to cook your own food, do your grocery shopping as soon as you can after arrival to avoid any problems. If you are thinking of eating out, not all restaurants are open all the time. Bookings are essential for all eating establishments.
Currency
The legal tender is the New Zealand dollar. The Bank of the South Pacific is Niue’s only banks and is located in the capital, Alofi. There are no ATM machines or Eftpos facilities anywhere as Niue is mainly a cash economy.