Niue is a small Pacific island nation located 2,400 kilometers northeast of New Zealand. The island, with a population of approximately 1,600 people, has a rich history and culture that is reflected in its unique language, traditional crafts, and dance. Niueans are Polynesians, with their culture, religion and way of life intertwined with the environment. The island is known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking adventure and relaxation. The island has been inhabited for over 1,000 years and was discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774. Niue gained independence in 1974 from New Zealand but still maintains a special relationship with it. The island is self-governed but is supported by New Zealand in areas such as defense and foreign affairs. Niue’s economy is primarily driven by tourism, selling of postage stamps, and the use of its internet domain name, .nu. The small island has faced challenges such as cyclones and economic struggles, but its unique culture and strong community continue to thrive. Overall, Niue is a fascinating and unique destination with a rich cultural history that is intertwined with its breathtaking natural environment.

The South Seas, as this region used to be called, conjured up images of adventure, belles and savages, romance and fabulous fortunes, but the long voyages of discovery and exploration of the vast Pacific Ocean were really an exercise in amazing logistics, navigation, hard grit, shipwreck and pure luck. The motivations were scientific and geographic, but at the same time nationalistic and materialistic. A series on global exploration and discovery would not be complete without this book by Quanchi and Robson. It is ambitious and informative and includes the familiar names of Laperouse, Bougainville, Cook and Dampier, as well as the intriguing stories of the Bounty Mutiny, scurvy, and the mysterious Northwest Passage, Terra Australis Ignotia and Davis Land. There are entries on first contacts, ships, navigational instruments, mapping, and botany. The scene is carefully set in the introduction, the chronology spans several centuries, and the extensive bibliography offers a guide to further reading. There are more than just dry facts in this book. It has a whiff of salt air, the clash of empires, cross-cultural beach encounters and personal adventure.

History and traditions of the Niuean village of Mutalau. Includes Niuean creation stories, the influence of Christianity, annexation to New Zealand, education, sport, migration to New Zealand, the establishment of the Mutalau Ululauta Matahefonua Trust in 2004. Brief biographies of current board members and some prominent people from Mutalau.

The term Polynesia refers to a cultural and geographical area in the Pacific Ocean, bound by what is commonly referred to as the Polynesian Triangle, which consists of Hawai'i in the north, New Zealand in the southwest, and Easter Island in the southeast. Thousands of islands are scattered throughout this area, most of which are currently included in one of the modern island states of American Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Hawai'i, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna. The third edition of the Historical Dictionary of Polynesia greatly expands on the previous editions through a chronology, an introductory essay, an expansive bibliography, and over 400 cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, events, places, organizations, and other aspects of Polynesian history from the earliest times to the present. Appendixes of the major islands and atolls within Polynesia, the rulers and administrators of the 13 major island states, and basic demographic information of those states are also included.

Geography, history, people, language, culture, traditions, economy, government, politics, constitution, places to visit, info for travelers.