Niue Seeks Seat at Commonwealth Leaders’ Table as It Marks 50 Years of Self-Government

NIUE — The Pacific island nation of Niue, known as the “Rock of Polynesia,” celebrated 50 years of self-government on Saturday, with Britain’s King Charles extending congratulations in a special video message. However, as Commonwealth leaders gather for their first-ever meeting in the Pacific, Niue remains excluded, prompting its prime minister to call for change.

Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi expressed his desire for Niue to have a formal seat at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where leaders from 56 countries with ties to Britain’s empire are convening this week in Samoa. Despite Niue’s close ties to the Commonwealth and its status as a realm of New Zealand, the island was not invited to the meeting.

“There is no use being Commonwealth family yet we can’t attend these meetings. It’s a bit weird,” Tagelagi said in an interview, noting that Niue has already inquired about the process for becoming a full member of the Commonwealth.

Located 635 km south of Samoa, Niue was settled by Samoans around 900 AD and later became a British Protectorate in 1900. It achieved self-governing status in 1974 under “free association” with New Zealand, which provides economic support and foreign affairs assistance when requested. Although the United States recognized Niue as a sovereign state in 2022, the island is still regarded within the Commonwealth as part of New Zealand.

New Zealand’s foreign ministry said that eligibility for Commonwealth membership is determined by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Commonwealth told Reuters that Niue is considered part of the “Commonwealth family,” though it lacks the ability to participate in major leadership meetings like CHOGM.

Tagelagi emphasized the importance of Niue forming its own diplomatic ties, in addition to its longstanding partnership with New Zealand. “Niueans want to shape their own destiny while maintaining a steadfast partnership with New Zealand,” he said, noting that the island has diplomatic partnerships with 28 countries.

Niue also plays a role in regional discussions through its membership in the Pacific Islands Forum. However, rising security tensions in the Pacific have raised concerns, particularly after China recently test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean without notifying Niue.

Tagelagi called the incident “unfortunate,” recalling the region’s painful memories of nuclear testing by colonial powers such as Britain and France. “We can’t just ignore this. Is this a one-off? What is the plan? That is what needs to be really understood or clarified by China,” he said.