Niue Premier retains leadership

Niue Premier Young Vivian has been re-elected as leader of the tiny Pacific island nation.

Vivian defeated independent candidate O'Love Jacobsen in a parliamentary ballot by 17 votes to three, website Niuenews.nu reported.

His re-election follows April 30 polls on the island, which has a population of about 1200 people and is governed in free association with New Zealand.

The premier will next pick a three-person cabinet.

Niuenews said there was doubt Vivian would re-appoint Finance Minister Toke Talagi, who retained his seat on the island's legislative assembly only after his name was drawn out of a hat ahead of a rival candidate to break a tied vote.

Talagi has said he wants to retain the finance portfolio.

About 20,000 Niueans live in New Zealand.

- AAP