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Niue became a full member of SOPAC in 1994, having seen the capacity of SOPAC to address resource development issues and related projects in Niue.

Niue is located in the South Pacific Ocean at Latitude 169 55 West, and longitude 19 02 South. The island rises from the coast to a height of close to 70 meters above the perimeter [former fringing reef], and 40 meters above present sea level in the interior [former lagoon area]. The atoll reef history of Niue goes back about 12 million years, as revealed by the limestone, which extends to a depth of 300 to 400m below present sea level. This atoll structure sits on top of an older, extinct volcanic cone, which was built up from the deep-sea bed 3 to 4 kilometres below present sea level.

The atoll is now raised above sea level because Niue is today on top of a bulge in the Pacific seafloor. The bulge is caused by the bending upwards in the Pacific Plate, the top of which forms the seafloor, as it moves north-westwards to be consumed back into the Earth along the nearby Tonga Trench. This process has occurred for the past several millennia. Wave erosion modifies the raised atoll topography around the coast. Several terraces demonstrate that this process has occurred over time Niue s irregular coastline shape is thought to be the result of large submarine landslides, which originated close to present sea level.

At the last population census count in 2001, Niue s population [originally of Samoan and Tongan descent] stood at 1788. The Constitution allows Niuean s full residency in New Zealand as well as opportunities for livelihoods that are not available or insufficiently met in Niue. Niue s free association with New Zealand triggered substantial emigration and much of the decline in population

In-contrast to its small land areas, Niue has a vast exclusive economic zone [EEZ] of ocean surrounding the island. Manganese nodules and potential for other mineral deposits have been detected in Niue s EEZ. These mineral resources could contribute to the Niue economy if appropriate, sustainable access were possible. At present, Niue s economy is sustained through aid, remittances, tourism, agriculture, and exports of fish, fruits and handicrafts.

Niueans originally collected water from subterranean caves, which accessed the freshwater lens that lie under the island. In the 1940s there was a shift in the method of water collection from caves access to rainwater collection in catchment tanks built in the villages. In the 1950s boreholes were drilled into the underground freshwater lens, which became the permanent source of water for Niue. Pipes were extended from this source to storage tanks, then to standpipes and communal taps, and eventually to single taps in each house.

Niue relies heavily on fossil fuels to generate energy, which is very expensive for the country in both absolute terms and relative to the rest of the Pacific region. Niue is currently attempting to shift away the use of fossil fuels to alternative energy sources. At present, Niue uses biomass, solar- and wind-power as sources of energy.