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

Data code NE

Dependency status in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internalaffairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs

Government type self-governing parliamentary democracy

National capital Alofi

Administrative divisions none

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

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

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 andNew Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Warren SEARELL(since NA August 1993)
head of government: Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (acting premier since NA December 1992,premier since 12 March 1993)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers
elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; premier elected by the LegislativeAssembly for a three-year term; election last held 23 February 1996 (nextto be held NA March 1999)
election results: Frank Fakaotimanava LUI elected premier; percent of Legislative Assemblyvote - NA

Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popularvote 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, independents11

Judicial branch Appeal Court of New Zealand; High Court

Political parties and leaders Niue Peoples Party (NPP), Robert REX, Jr.

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; theflag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a bluedisk 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 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Niue Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Niue Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.