Most of the inhabitants of Niue descend from settlers from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, who arrived between AD 600-1000, developing their own particular culture. The first Europeans reached Niue in the wake of Captain Cook's expedition to the region in 1774. Administered by the London Missionary Society from 1846, it became a British Protectorate in 1900.

The island was then formally annexed to New Zealand in 1901, as part of the Cook Islands. In October 1974, Niue was granted 'self-government in free association with New Zealand', making it the smallest self-governing state with that status. This also allows Niueans to retain New Zealand citizenship while maintaining self-government in their own country.

The major problems facing Niue are chronic population decline caused by emigration and the fragility of the island's status as an offshore tax haven, which is under threat from new measures designed to tackle international money laundering. Niue is also vulnerable to Pacific cyclones: in January 2004, the island suffered serious damage from Cyclone Heta.

Reputedly the world's largest coral island, Niue's rugged coastline and reef offer excellent fishing, diving and snorkelling opportunities. Parakeets, white-tailed terns, weka and other exotic birds live on this island and butterflies are a common sight darting among the hibiscus and orchids. The island is well off the beaten track but tourist numbers are steadily increasing with 2758 tourist arrivals by air recorded for 2003 - significantly more than the island's permanent population.