29 May 2020

Election time on Niue

From , 5:02 am on 29 May 2020

Niue goes to the polls on Saturday, and it's been quite a turbulent week in the lead-up to it.

There's a stalwart premier, Sir Toke Talagi, who's going for his fifth term in office.

There's also a number of newcomers - including Mark Blumsky, a former Wellington mayor and New Zealand parliamentarian, who's become a prominent businessman on the island. And a lawn bowls rep.

Many of the candidates converged at a town hall meeting in Alofi on Wednesday night, where they debated, applauded and cheered.

What are the issues?

Niue has had no cases of Covid-19, but it's still been hard-hit: it's tourism industry shut down almost overnight.

And it was already struggling after a storm destroyed the only wharf earlier this year.

Last month, a highly critical report from New Zealand's Auditor General detailed unauthorised spending, mismanagement, and years of unfiled audit reports from the government.

Esther Pavihi is an anchor for Niue's Radio Sunshine.

Jamie Tahana asked her what the mood on the island is ahead of polling on Sunday.

Journalist Tiana Haxton (left) from the Cook Islands and journalist Esther Pavihi from Niue stand outside Parliament House in Wellington.

Journalist Tiana Haxton (left) from the Cook Islands and journalist Esther Pavihi from Niue stand outside Parliament House in Wellington. Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox