History of Niue

There is no firm evidence to suggest or support the actual period when Niue was settled, but it was generally believed that the first inhabitants arrived sometime around 400AD. The first known expedition, led by Fao and Huanaki arrived and settled on the northern end of the island called Ulu-lauta, or Motu, in 700 AD. Nothing more was known of the settlers until 1250 AD when Levei-matagi and Levei-fualalo led an expedition to Tutuila [now American Samoa] met Chief Moa who gave some coconuts to the visitors with the words ‘ko e niu e’ [these coconuts..] to plant on their island. Upon return they presented their chief and explained that the coconuts are good to eat [hence, niu e fekai [Niue Fekai] became one of the names that we know Niue today.] A Tongan War Expedition, led by Kau-ulu-fonua arrived in 1525 and fought the settlers at Anatoga. The invading survivors fled and settled on the southern end of the island called Tafiti, or Mui-fonua or Hiku-lauta. Niue’s virtual isolation practically left the two groups to develop independently of each other despite their frequent warfare until Captain James Cook arrived in 1774. Hostile reception from the natives forced the English explorer to change his intended name for Niue from ‘Prince Frederick Island’ to Savage Island which earned a fearsome reputation that kept the island further isolated from roving seafarers, explorers, sealers and whalers until the missionaries arrived in 1830. So swift was the Christianisation process of Niueans that in 1850 one of the missionaries wrote: “We have on this Savage Island the whole of the people under the influence of the Gospel of Christ.” [Lisimoni, 2004 p16] Unfortunately the ‘tamed savage pagans’ became increasingly vulnerable to the scourge of the late 19th century – black birding, or slave trade. It is generally accepted that Niue’s history, at least the written versions, is that of the London Missionaries which began after 1830 with the arrival of Reverend John Wlliams with his prodigious penchant for written records of their adventures and conversion achievements in the Pacific. Like most oral traditions in pre-European contacts Niue’s past are rich and colourful, that are carefully stored in their stories, legends, poetry, dances, chants and craftwork that were passed on from generation to generation. Accuracy of historical records stored in such a manner often elicit dispute among recipients of traditional lore but for the time being or until proved otherwise. Threats from without, like the slave trade, prompted local kings [in 1859, 1887, 1895 by King Fataaiki, and finally by King Togia on October 10th, 1899] to petition the English Queen for protection which was granted in 1900. New Zealand formally annexed Niue in 1901 and continued to be responsible for the administration of the island until 1974 when it became a self-governing nation with the passing of the Niue Constitution Act 1974.