Excerpt from rnz.co.nz
An MP in Niue wants New Zealand to support the realm to stand on its own two feet economically.
“How we can grow with New Zealand towards the next 50 years, and possibly to be self-sustaining, not to be dependent more on New Zealand every time we need cash,” Niue MP Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui told RNZ Pacific.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon landed in Niue on Tuesday, on his first official visit to the Pacific after assuming office.
The trip marks five decades since Niue made a decision to self-govern in free association with New Zealand.
Niue is not independent, instead it is a realm of Aotearoa.
“The independence part would have to be decided upon by those at the time,” Fakaotimanava-Lui said.
With less than 1700 people living on the island, and many more tagata Niue in Aotearoa, he said there are more immediate issues than independence.
He said his hope for the next 50 years is to see Niue generating its own revenue.
