In 2013, the

island country An island country, island state or an island nation is a country whose primary territory consists of one or more islands or parts of islands. Approximately 25% of all independent countries are island countries. Island countries are historically ...

Niue Niue (, ; niu, Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand. Niue's land area is about and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was about 1,600 in 2016. Niue is located in a triangle between Tong ...

produced 3,200 tonnes of coconuts valued at INT$385,830. Coconut is a cash crop on the island, which is converted to derivatives such as

copra Copra (from ) is the dried, white flesh of the coconut from which coconut oil is extracted. Traditionally, the coconuts are sun-dried, especially for export, before the oil, also known as copra oil, is pressed out. The oil extracted from co ...

and

coconut cream Coconut milk is an opaque, milky-white liquid extracted from the grated pulp of mature coconuts. The opacity and rich taste of coconut milk are due to its high oil content, most of which is saturated fat. Coconut milk is a traditional food in ...

in tinned form, and also exported. Originally, the island had a profusion of coconut trees reflected in the country's name, Niue, in the local language. The Niue Development Board is responsible for planning and execution of schemes of agricultural produce, including coconut and related products.

History

The name of the island "Niue" is the local name for coconut. The coconut is not indigenous to the island or any of the Pacific Islands. It has been stated that it could be from

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

. It has been growing on the island since historical times. One view, by a local man, is that the plant drifted ashore and was picked up and planted at

Mutalau Mutalau is one of the fourteen villages of Niue. Its population at the 2017 census was 100, up from 97 in 2011. History Overview It was previously known as Ululauta and Matahefonua. ''Ululauta'' and ''Matahefonua'' both mean "head of the land". ...

. It could have drifted due to trade winds. Another view is that voyagers carried them in their canoes and planted them in the islands, which they visited during journey. According to local legend two men, Levei-matagi and Levei-fualoto, who travelled from

Tutuila Tutuila is the main island of American Samoa (and its largest), and is part of the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific. It is located roughly northeast of Brisbane, A ...

carrying gifts of coconuts given to them by the local chief, came to the island and called it the island ''Niue-fekai'', after the name of the coconut ''niue''. Its growth is more prominent in the island's lower terrace rather than the interior, and in villages on the eastern side;

Lakepa Lakepa is one of the fourteen villages of Niue Niue (, ; niu, Niuē) is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand. Niue's land area is about and its population, predominantly Polynesian, was about 1,600 i ...

on the northern part of the island account for its largest plantations. In the 1880s, coconut plantations had been created by clearing half the area of the island. A coconut cream factory closed in 1991, subsequent to hurricane damage. As of 2013, the

Food and Agriculture Organization The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)french: link=no, Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture; it, Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite per l'Alimentazione e l'Agricoltura is an intern ...

reports 3,200 tonnes of coconut production, valued at INT$385,830, Note: User must define "Niue" under the "area" parameter and "2013" under the "year" parameter. from an area of with an average yield of 9,697 hectograms per ha (969.7 tons/ha).

Local uses

A coconut with little pulp is called ''kola'' and ''pona-niu''. The stem on which the nut grows is called the ''loholoho'', the flowering stage is called ''tome,'' the young shoot is named ''uruka'', midrib of the leaf is called ''palelafe'', the rib of each separate branch is known as ''kaniu''. As the fruits start maturing the sponge that develops inside is called ''who-niu''. The branches of the tree are used for making brooms, combs, etc. The dried leaf itself is used to make thatch for roofs, baskets (''kato''), and mats (''potu''). The wood of the tree is tough and heavy, and is used to make polished walking sticks. The white pulp of the nut is extracted and pressed to make coconut oil called ''puke-lolo'', a sometimes scented oil which is used for massaging the body before taking a bath. The fibrous part of the coconut, called ''pulu'', is used for making rope or sinnet (''tona'') and strings (''aho''). Sinnet is considered to be very strong and durable. Coconut shells, after cleaning and polishing are used for making vessels such as a water bottle. Dried coconut or copra is exported from the island. The names used in the island while presenting the coconut at one of the festivals is ''Fua-alu'' (''Ulu-Ola''). The coconut tree is climbed by young boys of age 8 and above, and the fruit is felled. The coconut is then sheared at the top end with a pointed rod of wood fixed on the ground. After the surface skin is removed and an opening is made to drink the coconut water contained in it. The flesh inside the coconut is then scooped out and used in cooking various dishes. The stem of the tree is affixed with a leaf, termed ''fona'', indicating that the tree is preserved for a long time. A guest to the island is presented with a fresh coconut on arrival indicating that he is welcome to enjoy his stay in Niue.

References

Bibliography

* * * * Coconut plantation in Niue had suffered serious damage in the hurricane of 1989, which had then resulted in closure of the coconut cream factory.

History

Local uses

References

Bibliography

Further reading