“It’s something his government is pursuing, said the premier in a press conference with foreign and regional journalists that have descended the capital, Alofi, ahead of this week’s Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting.
“We are not necessarily encouraging Niueans to return to the island but instead develop tourism accommodation and other utilities to attract tourists,” he said.
Tourist arrivals have grown from 723 to 2,008 in 2005, after the devastating effects of cyclone Heta in 2003. Arrivals have gone up to 3,500 last year.
This is also attributable to the reliable weekly air service now provided by Air New Zealand.
“Considerable efforts are still being made to rebuild the tourism sector following Cyclone Heta and provide more mid level accommodation,” Talagi said.
Niue’s declining population and its need to maintain a viable population has led to consideration by the government of changes to current immigration laws.
Among the option being considered includes the granting to all New Zealand citizens the right to enter and live in Niue. Currently, other nationalities are required to apply for a 30-day permit on arrival in Niue.
Niueans are New Zealand citizens. They travel on New Zealand passports and have automatic right of entry into New Zealand.
In 2006, New Zealand census recorded 22,500 Niueans in the country, as opposed to only 1,625 on the island.
