Fakaaue Tau
Fakaaue Tau is a feast held to thank the village pastor for the year that has gone, and is celebrated throughout Niue on the first Saturday of January every year.
Takai
Takai (meaning “to go right around”) is celebrated on the second Friday and Saturday of every January and is the day when villagers decorate their vehicles brightly and drive around the island beeping their horns/sirens as they go. They also give out goodies, especially lollies, to those in the villages who aren’t travelling in a vehicle and have come out to watch.
Waitangi Day
Every year on 6th February the people of Niue observe this New Zealand national holiday, which is the anniversary of the date in 1840 that the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document, was signed. Like their counterparts in New Zealand, Niueans hold special celebrations to commemorate the day.
Niue Arts and Culture Festival
This biannual event, held in April, celebrates Niuean culture and heritage through song, music, dance, cultural items and much more. Many Niueans who live abroad flock back to their homeland to reconnect with their families and loved ones. It will be held from 14th to 21st April 2017.
Anzac Day
Anzac Day is observed in Niue on 25th April each year, and honours military veterans just as they are honoured in Australia, New Zealand and many other South Pacific islands. Niue commemorates Anzac Day with a dawn parade, church service, umu kai feast, and storytelling sessions.
White Sunday
Each second Sunday in May, the people of Niue celebrate this holiday in tandem with Mother’s Day. This event is widely celebrated throughout the country with children singing songs, performing skits, and giving church sermons while dressed in new white clothing.
Constitution Celebrations
Niue’s Constitution Celebrations are held on the 19th and 20th October, and mark the anniversary of the signing of Niue’s Free Compact of Association with New Zealand on 19 October 1974, giving Niue independence. It is a colourful time with traditional dancing, singing, festivities and a flag raising ceremony.
Peniamina Day
Every year, on the fourth Friday of October, Niuans observe Peniamina Day, known as aho he maam in Niue. The day is named after and celebrated in honour of the Niue-born and Samoa-trained pastor, Peniamina Nukai, who successfully brought Christianity to the island.
