NZDF personnel accompany Governor General to Niue

NZ's Governor General Anand Satyanand, Mrs Susan Satyanand, Niue Premier Young Vivian, and NZDF personnel.

19 April 2007
By Sarah Chandler

A delegation of 25 prominent New Zealand Niueans, among them nine NZDF personnel, travelled to Niue last week with New Zealand’s Governor-General, the Honorable Anand Satyanand. 

Each of the three services were equally represented, and two NZDF civilians joined the group.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Premier of Niue, Young Vivian, who is hoping to attract Niuean expatriates back to live on the Island. 

Niue’s current population is presently under 1700, while about 20,000 native Niueans reside in New Zealand.  Premier Vivian has raised concerns that people who have no intention of returning to Niue are nevertheless reluctant to give up their land there.

Although Niue is self governing, it operates in ‘free association’ with New Zealand and the two nations are bound by strong ties. The trip reflects the interest the NZ government and the NZDF take in assisting Niue to fulfil its potential.

An Army Corporal based at Burnham, Lino Nui, whose father is from Niue, said he was concerned for the nation’s future but admitted that New Zealand offered a lot in terms of financial security. He said that while he “loved it in Niue”, he was not sure his wife and children would want to live in Niue full time.

Of this, his first visit to the island, Air Force Flight Lieutenant Dwayne Boyes said that despite economic challenges it faces, the mood in Niue was very buoyant, the surroundings beautiful, and the outlook of the community positive.

 “The trip gave us exposure to the economic issues the island is facing, and gave us some insights into how the NZDF and the wider NZ community might be able to help improve its infrastructure in the future. I know from our Defence Advisor (Cdr Fogarty, RNZN) that the NZDF is looking at a number of ways to support the Government of Niue, particularly the Police Department with training and expert advice”. he said

But the trip wasn’t all official meetings and solving political problems, FLT LT Boyes said. “We had a great time! You could see that the Governor General was really enjoying himself too –  singing and dancing at the social functions”.

The three day visit was the Hon Anand Satyanand’s first official overseas trip since being sworn in as Governor General last year. He has said he intends to follow it up with trips to Tokelau and the Cook Islands later in the year.

 Ends