In pursuance of Article 9 of the 2005 UNESCO Convention, each State Party is to submit a Quadrennial Report on their respective level of implementation. Niue ratified the Convention in 2019. Niue’s reporting was therefore due on 30th June, 2023. Niue has carried out very important programmes and projects as part of the implementation process of the 2005 Convention since 2019.
The implementation of the 2005 Convention is contributing significantly to the attainment of SDG Goals 4, 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17 which sets the foundation for the governance of culture through some support for employment and entrepreneurship in the cultural sector, including through digital technology, support of more balanced inflow of cultural goods and services, the mobility of artists and cultural professionals and freedom of creation.
The implementation of the convention in promoting the growth of cultural and creative industries in Niue include the following:
• The legislation Taoga Niue Act 2012 mandated the establishment of the Department of Taoga Niue as a department of Government to act as at the central coordinator of all matters relating to taoga Niue and
-establish a Taoga Niue Council to act as an expert advisory council to the Department in relation to taoga Niue and place controls on;
- objects of national cultural significance
- objects of national historical significance and
-Protect traditional knowledge and expressions of culture.
One of the many functions of the Department of Taoga Niue is to introduce incentives for the people of Niue residing on Niue to produce creative works. All cultural and creative works is underpinned by the Niue cultural value system of respect for culture, respect for the environment and respect for the people. The taoga Niue in terms of villages is further strengthened by the Village Council Act 2016 which is responsible for the establishment of electing a Village Council in charge of;
o the establishment, operation, and regulation of markets and commercial enterprises, including; village council markets and commodities sold in those markets. Another function of the Village Council is to establish or encourage the establishment of facilities it considers will benefit the residents of the village, including the;
- establishment, operation and maintenance of public halls, libraries and community, cultural or sports facilities.
- Within the village communities there are various activities created under the cultural pillar such as Canoe Making by the youth under the instruction of a master canoe builder, Womens Groups weaving for the annual Show Days, Boys Brigade Carving activities and Girls Brigade Weaving, block print
• Tourism Authority Act 1995 provides for creative tourism industries catering for small niche markets available to the tourists and visiting Niue peoples. Due to a small population and the closure of borders for the past three years due to covid-19, small scale sole owner crafts stalls are slowly recovering and finally increasing sales this year.
• Niue Philatelic and Numismatic Amendment Act 2021 – Section 22A Corporation Expenditure (1) in addition to the other objectives, functions and powers set out in the Act, the Corporation may make financial and contributions towards:
• (a) Taoga Niue matters (cultural heritage and treasures of Niue, as represented in its diverse sectors by Vagahau Niue, Arts & Crafts, History, Environment, Customs and Traditions, Heritage Assets and the Cultural Bridge, c) community oriented projects specifically for the improvement of life, health, education and overall well-being of the Niue peoples.
• Education Act 1989 mandates the School’s Curriculum including compulsory subjects such as Crafts for boys and Weaving for girls classes ranging from Year 3 to Year 10. The two Schools, Niue Primary and Niue High School Performing Arts competitions is held annually portraying Niue cultural performing arts and drama.
• Broadcasting Corporation of Niue Act 1989 – provide a means of ensuring that television and radio programmes are compatible with the identity and culture of Niue and in charge of media, production of documentaries, short films, advertisements, and other work as directed.
• New Zealand – Niue Statement of partnership – Growing Niue’s taoga and human capital under Priority Area 5: People – working together to;
- Collaborate to irmpove educational outcomes for all Niueans focusing on transferable knowledge and skills and vocational pathways;
- Cooperate to promote, strengthen, protect, and integrate Taoga Niue cultural heritage, Vagahau Niue, values and identity.
Through these activities, arts and cultural programmes is accessible to everyone and especially those who are creative and gifted with the cultural talent.
Assistance in the form of grants has provided support to the artists and cultural entrepreneurs through;
• Supporting producers with appropriate technology, education and practical demonstration- Niue High School Crafts and Graphics Design & Technology Classes, Avatele Talatalai;
• Documenting traditional methods of production and processing for some local technology such as canoes, kato kautaha (finely woven baskets using coconut fronds), etc are currently in progress as one of the 2023 UNESCO participation programme;
• Translation of Cultural Handbook for Youths under the Niue Chamber of Commerce who are also in charge of Entrepresurial Classes in the Schools-Year 5 & 6 at Niue Primary School and Year 10 at Niue High School;
• Supporting the biennial Niue Arts & Cultural Festival and other artist’s programmes to raise the profile of cultural products on the regional and world cultural scene and
• Government is strengthening The Department of Taoga Niue through budgetary and human resources support.
Since 2019 to date, the core functions within the 2005 Convention was to implement the Taoga Niue Pillar under the Niue National Strategic Plan (2016 -2026) to promote, strengthen and integrate Taoga Niue Cultural Heritage, Language, Values and identity from the home to the national level and enhancing the Cultural bridge with Niue peoples abroad. The overall direction for a prosperous and skilled nation is the private sector pillar tasked with the creation of jobs and opportunities for establishing and growing businesses. To achieve that vision, enabling Niue’s business legislative and administrative framework, enhance investment in people to improve skills and create a local workforce through producing a skilled and responsive labour force and enhancing access to capacity building and technical assistance to build up an entrepreneurial culture and create and capitalize on market opportunities to benefit from tourism and ensure growth actively encouraged by Government, Niue Chamber of Commerce and other relevant stakeholders.
Despite Government’s efforts to mainstream culture in the development process, only a few ministries and agencies have succeeded:
• Department of Taoga Niue;
• Niue Language Commission and Taoga Niue Council under the Department of Taoga Niue
• Niue Tourism – merchandise and cultural products
• Department of Education – Curriculum subjects
• Niue Chamber of Commerce - Enhance private sector participationn, provide start-up grants to small cultural enterprises, provide Entrepreneurial Classes for Niue Primary and Niue High Schools;
• Village Councils – Annual Show Days promoting cultural products
• NGOs such as National Council of Women, Talatalai Association,
The expected outcomes include the following;
• Strong frameworks, regulations and institutions for promoting Niue culture
• Deep appreciation of national culture
• Increasing skilled capacity for all sectors
• Awareness to collect and maintain reliable data on the cultural sector
• Critical awareness of Vagahau Niue language and pride in the Niue culture – University of the South Pacific Certificate in Vernacular (Vagahau Niue);