Niua Islands

Niua is a division of the Kingdom of Tonga, namely the northernmost group of islands. It consists of three islands (Niuafoʻou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi) which together have an area of 71.69 km² and a population of 1,150. The largest village is Hihifo on Niuatoputapu. Piu'o Tafahi is the highest point with an elevation of 560 m.

Map of Niua Islands

Futuna, Alofi, Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu and Tafahi drawn on a 1646 map by Robert Dudley. In 1616, Dutch explorers Le Maire and Schouten were the first Europeans to visit those islands.

Niua Group

Location of Niua Islands in Tonga
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	15°58′S 173°47′W
Archipelago	Tonga Islands
Total islands	3
Major islands	2
Area	71.69 km2 (27.68 sq mi)
Highest elevation	560 m (1840 ft)
Highest point	Piu 'o Tafahi
Administration
Tonga
Largest settlement	Hihifo, Niuatoputapu
Demographics
Population	1,150[1] (2021)
Pop. density	23.01/km2 (59.6/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Tongan

Geography

The islands lie at approximately 15° south latitude and 175° to 173° west longitude, approximately 600km north of the Tongan capital of Nukuʻalofa, 300 - 375 km northwest of Vavaʻu, and 320 - 470 km south or southwest of Samoa. Niuafoʻou is geographically separated from the other islands, lying 200km to the west. The total area of the islands is 71.69 km² (27.68 sq mi).

Climate

The islands have a tropical climate, with a mean temperature of 27 °C (81 °F) and a mean annual rainfall of 2,453 mm (100 in) (Niuafoʻou) or 2,374 mm (90 in) (Niuatoputapu).^[2]

Geology

The islands are the peaks of undersea volcanoes, towering from the sea. Niuatoputapu and Tafahi lie on the Tofua volcanic arc, and are not active. Niuafoʻou lies at the center of the Niuafo'ou Plate and has erupted regularly since 1814.^[3] There are other volcanoes in this part of the Tofua chain which do not reach sea level, but form seamounts with between 1200 and 1500m of water above their peaks. This includes the Mata group, the Curacoa volcano, and the large submarine caldera Niuatahi.^[4]

History

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1976	2,328	—
1986	2,368	+1.7%
1996	2,018	−14.8%
2006	1,665	−17.5%
2011	1,282	−23.0%
2016	1,232	−3.9%
2021	1,150	−6.7%
Sources:[5][6][1]

Archaeological evidence shows the Niuas were settled by the Lapita culture.^[7] It was later part of the Tui Manu'a^[8] and Tuʻi Tonga Empires.

The Niua group was first encountered by Europeans in 1616 by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire Cornelisz during their circumnavigation.^[9]

Government

The islands are part of Tonga. Their people are represented in the legislative Assembly of Tonga via the Niua 17 electoral constituency, while their nobles are represented via the Niuas Nobles' constituency.

References

1. "Tonga's population drops to 100,209". Matangi Tonga. 24 December 2021. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
2. "CLIMATE CHANGE PROFILE: KINGDOM OF TONGA" (PDF). GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ALLIANCE: PACIFIC SMALL ISLAND STATES PROJECT. 2013. p. 10. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
3. "TIN CAN ISLAND". The Press. 20 April 1957. p. 6. Retrieved 24 December 2021 – via Papers Past.
4. "Niuatahi". Global Volcanism Program. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
5. "1996 Tonga Census Administrative Report". Tonga Department of Statistics. p. xii. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
6. "Census". Tonga Statistics Department. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
7. Rogers, Garth (1974). "Archaeological discoveries on Niuatoputapu Island, Tonga". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 83 (3): 308–348. JSTOR 20705007.
8. "TALES OF TIME: Tui Manu'a Empire of Samoa". The Coconet. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
9. Robert Kerr, ed. (1811). "Voyage round the World, in 1615-1617, by William Cornelison Schouten and Jacques Le Maire, going round Cape Horn". A general history and collection of voyages and travels. Vol. X. Edinburgh: W. Blackwood. pp. 175–178.

15.9594°S 173.783°W / -15.9594; -173.783