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Niue’s Government and Politics The Niue Constitution Act of 1974 allowed for a 20 member Legislative Assembly. 14 are elected to represent each village and the remaining six from the National Register called a Common Roll. A Premier, to lead the Government is elected by the Legislative Assembly who in turn selects three associates a four member Cabinet. A Speaker of the Assembly is selected from outside the ranks of the Legislative Assembly members. All local residents over 18 years and over are eligible to vote. The 1974 Niue Constitution Act Following the results of the September 1974 Referendum with the required 66% for the proposed constitutional change from integration to a self governing state The Niue Constitution Act became law on the 19th October 1974 containing the following important provisions:
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Niue's Parliamentary System Following a plea from British missionaries and island leaders, the island became a British Protectorate at the turn of the 20th Niue’s system of government is based on the Westminster system. The Niue Assembly consists of 20 members, 14 of whom are elected by village constituencies and 6 from the common roll. The 20 members elect a Premier and the Premier selects three cabinet ministers from the 19. Members elect a Speaker from outside their ranks. A general election is held every three years. century. Shortly thereafter, in an agreement with the British government, New Zealand took over responsibility for Niue in 1901. The island remained a territory of New Zealand until October 1974 when it adopted self-rule, but continues to retain New Zealand citizenship, a contributing factor in the large presence of Niueans in Auckland. Niue’s Parliamentary system is based on the Westminster model offering universal suffrage to all permanent residents 18 years and over in a General Election held every three years. To be eligible to vote permanent residents must be present on Niue on the day of the elections, and there are no provisions under the Niue Constitution Act to allow voting rights to Niueans living abroad. The Constitution Act of 1974 requires that 20 members will be elected to constitute a Fono Ekepule [Niue Legislative Assembly] composing of 14 Members from each of the 14 villages and 6 Members from the Common Roll Register. On Election Day eligible permanent residents in each village constituency may cast 7 votes – 1 for the village Member, and up to 6 names from the Common Roll Register. There are provisions in the 1974 Constitution Act that allow an uncontested nominated candidate in a village constituency automatic membership in the Niue Fono Ekepule, but the 6 candidates from the Common Roll Register must be voted for by all eligible voters on the day. The first 6 Common Roll candidates with the most popular votes [first past the post’] become members of the Niue Fono Ekepule. There are also provisions in the Constitution Act that allow a ‘taken out of the hat decision’ in the event of a tie between two or more candidates. At the first Meeting of the Niue Fono Ekepule a Speaker of the House must be appointed in order to legitimatise the Oath Swearing ceremony of all 20 elected members, which once completed a Premier is chosen to lead the Government. The Premier at his earliest convenience may, after consultation choose 3 members from the Niue Fono Ekepule to form a Team of Cabinet Ministers who will be responsible for the day to day of the government of Niue. Normally during the meeting of Cabinet Ministers a Clerk to Cabinet and the Secretary to Government will be present. The Premier and Cabinet Ministers may appoint a Chief Judge to form the Judicial arm of the Government thereby completing the legal requisites that are required by the Niue Constitution Act 1974. Important Niue Government Sectors
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Premier’s Secretary to Government: Richard HIPA Deputy Secretary to Government: Mr Justin Kamupala Contact: PO Box 40, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4200 Facsimile (683) 4232 Public Service Commission Chairperson : Mrs Taumalua Jackson Member : Mr Crossley Tatui Member : John Tiakia Contact : PO Box 125, Alofi, NIUE Telephone : (683) 4210 Facsimile : (683) 4211 Administrative Service Director: Mrs Wennie SALATIELU (Acting) Contact: PO Box 67, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4018 Facsimile (683) 4305 Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries Director: Mr Brendon PASISI Contact: PO Box 74, Alofi, Niue Telephone (683) 4032 Facsimile (683) 4079 Community Affairs Director Mr Fa’apoi AKESI Library Officer Ms Amanda Heka Contact: PO Box 77, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4019 Facsimile (683) 4391 Education Director Mrs Loseligi SIAKIMOTU Contact: PO Box 32, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4145 Facsimile (683) 4301 Environment & Biodiversity Director Mr Sauni TONGATULE Contact: PO Box 77, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4021 Facsimile (683) 4391 Health Director Dr Sitaleki FINAU Contact: PO Box 33, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4100 Facsimile (683) 4265 Treasury Financial Secretary Mike FLEMMING Chief Accountant Doug Contact: PO Box 36, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4047 Facsimile (683) 4350 |
Bulk Fuel Manager Mr Desmond Tukutama Contact: Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4119 Facsimile (683) 4362 Power Supply General Manager Mr Hetututama Hetutu Contact: PO Box 198, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4119 Facsimile (683) 4385 Telecommunication & Post Director Mr Richard Hipa Contact: PO Box 37, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4000 Facsimile (683) 4010 Broadcasting General Manager Mr Patrick Lino Contact: PO Box 68, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4026 Facsimile (683) 4217 Development Bank General Manager Mrs Angela Tuhipa Contact: PO Box 34, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4335 Facsimile (683) 4290 Tourism Director Mrs Ida Talagi Hekesi Contact: PO Box 42, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 6224 Facsimile (683) 4225 External Affairs Head: Mrs Christine Ioane New Public Service Building Telephone: (683) 4018 Email: christine.external@mail.gov.nu Civil Aviation Director Mr Laga Lavini Contact: PO Box 40, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4020 Facsimile (683) 4215 Police Chief of Police: Mr Ross ARDEN Contact: PO Box 69, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4333 Facsimile (683) 4230 Public Works Director Mr Deve TALAGI Contact: PO Box 38, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4297 Facsimile (683) 4223 |
Crown Law Office Head Ms Peleni Talagi Contact: PO Box 40, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4228 Fax (683) 4208 Email : ag@mail.gov.nu Niue Financial Intelligence Unit Head Peleni Talagi Contact PO Box 70, Commercial Centre, Alofi, Niue Telephone (683) 4228 Fax : (683) 4208 Email : niuefiu@mail.gov.nu Customs & Tax Office Head Mr Sione Pokau Sionetuato Contact: PO Box 36, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4122 Facsimile (683) 4150 Economic Planning & Development Unit Head Mrs Gloria Talagi - Lines Contact: PO Box 40, Alofi, Niue Telephone (683) 4148 Facsimile (683) 4183 Immigration Office Immigration Officer Mrs Tapu Pihigia Acting Immigration Officer Tony Kose Contact: PO Box 69, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4349/4333 Facsimile (683) 4336 Statistics Office Head Mr Kim Ray Vaha Contact: PO Box 40, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4219 Facsimile (683) 4183 Quarantine Office Head Mrs Crisbina Konelio Contact: PO Box 74, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4032 Facsimile (683) 4079 Justice, Lands & Survey Secretary for Justice: APPOINTMENT PENDING Contact: PO Box 75, Alofi, NIUE Telephone (683) 4128 Facsimile (683) 4231 Meteorology & Climate Change Director: Mr Sionetasi PULEHETOA Contact: PO Box 82, Alofi, Niue Telephone: (683) 4601 Facsimil: e (683) 4602 |
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