Legal System of Niue
Niue is located in Australia Oceania. It is geographically situated in oceania, island in the south pacific ocean, east of tonga. The country achieved independence on 19 october 1974 (niue became a self-governing state in free association with new zealand). The capital is Alofi.
Government Overview
Government Type: parliamentary democracy Chief of State: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Mark GIBBS (since 5 March 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Dalton TAGELAGI; also referred to as premier (since 10 June 2020) Cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister Administrative Divisions: no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 14 villages are considered second-order National Holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Niue is described as english common law
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974) Amendment Process: proposed by the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and approval by at least two-thirds majority votes in a referendum; passage of amendments to a number of sections, including Niue’s self-governing status, British nationality and New Zealand citizenship, external affairs and defense, economic and administrative assistance by New Zealand, and amendment procedures, requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and at least two thirds of votes in a referendum
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges) Judge Selection: Niue chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68 Subordinate Courts: High Court
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral
Citizenship and Suffrage
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Voyagers from Samoa first settled on Niue around A.D. 900, and a second main group of settlers came from Tonga around 1500. With only one reliable source of fresh water, conflict was high on the island. Samoan and Tongan customs heavily influenced Niuean culture, including the formation of an island-wide elected kingship system in the early 1700s. In 1774, British explorer James COOK landed on the island and named it Savage Island because of the Niueans' hostility.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Niue based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.