Niueans kept out of island's elections

Niue goes to the polls this weekend but thousands of Niueans in New Zealand are unable to vote.

About 20,000 Niueans live in this country, compared with only about 1200 on the island.

An elderly Niuean community leader living in South Auckland, Granby Siakimotu, said he felt it was wrong that he could not vote in Niue when New Zealanders living overseas could vote in New Zealand elections.

Mr Siakimotu said his views were shared by many other Niueans in New Zealand.

"Quite a few people are moaning."

Mr Siakimotu regularly visited Niue but could only vote there if he had been living there at least three months.

If he wished to stand as a candidate he would have had to be living there a year.

"But this is not about standing for election, it is about being able to vote, and have a say ... I, like many, may wish to retire there."

Lissa Buysman, a Niuean living in Auckland, said she thought allowing people like herself to vote in the Niuean elections would help build the important ties between the two communities considered to be vital to Niue's survival.

Many of the younger generation of Niueans felt connected with the culture, even though many had never been there, she said.

"That energy should not be overlooked."

Another Auckland Niuean, Ane Strickland, said she did not feel like she had really left Niue.

"My heart is there, I go back there, my land is there, my home is there."

However, the health professional said her work and "mental stimulation" were not in Niue.

"Young people might want to go back, but they need something there."

Miss Strickland, who travelled to Niue to help clean up after last year's destructive Cyclone Heta, said she could also understand why Niueans in Niue felt only they should have the right to vote.

"I've got two minds on it ... but I feel I still contribute to the community."

A Niuean living in Australia, Joyleen Pamo, did not believe it was appropriate for her to vote from abroad based on "hearsay and political biases" which would not serve the long term interest of the country.

A member of the Niuean Government, Bill Motufoou, told the Herald he did not believe place of birth was relevant.

"Non-resident Niueans have a vested interest in their heritage, but if we all live offshore then who will keep the light on the rock?"

Niue's chief electoral officer Togia Sioneholo said the electoral rules had been in place since 1966 with no provision for Niueans living offshore to vote, probably as at that time most Niueans then lived on the island and it was not considered an issue.

He said a challenge in 1999 to change the rules was rejected by a judge in the High Court of Niue.

He said it was unlikely to be changed as there was strong feeling on Niue that only those living there should vote.

It was possible for Niueans who were already on the electoral roll and visited Niue within a three-year period to vote, although that presented "logistical difficulties". .

Mr Sioneholo estimated no more than 800 Niueans were on the roll.

Niue election

* Niue has elections every three years

* There are 20 seats in the Niue Assembly

* Niueans get two votes - for one of the 14 village (electorate) seats and one for the six common roll seats