2024-25 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$1.5 million

2024-25 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$1.9 million

2023-24 bilateral allocation [budget estimate]

$1.7 million

2023-24 total Australian ODA [budget estimate]

$3.3 million

2022-23 total Australian ODA [actual]

$2.5 million

Following the opening of Australia’s High Commission in Niue (August 2020), Australia began direct management of its Official Development Assistance (ODA) program, the Niue-Australia Development Program (AUD4.8 million, 2021-2025), marking a significant increase in our development support. Previously, Australia's bilateral aid to Niue was delivered through New Zealand via a Delegated Cooperation Arrangement (AUD10.9 million over 2014-2022).

The Niue and Australia Development Program supports Niue’s goal of developing a stable, broad-based economy, focusing on priority areas as agreed between Niue and Australia. This includes climate resilient infrastructure, supporting resilient and sustainable budgets and increased access to quality services.

Niue faces development challenges common to small island states within the region. These include geographic isolation, limited natural resources, high operating costs and a small population. Cyclones occasionally devastate the island's infrastructure, including housing and tourist facilities. Niue also experiences high rates of migration to New Zealand. New Zealand is Niue’s major development partner. 

2023-2024 highlights

Australia has finalised the design phase of the Niue Water and Wastewater Program to support the Government of Niue’s objective of providing access to a 24 hour safe and potable water supply. This program will soon transition to the implementation phase, delivering new water and sanitation infrastructure worth AUD4.75 million over 2024-2028. 

Australia has provided AUD2 million to support the remediation of the studios of Niue’s national broadcaster (BCN). BCN's role in disseminating crucial information from the Niue Disaster Management Office during natural disasters highlights the need for a robust media facility that can deliver emergency broadcasting to the community.  

The PacificAus TV initiative expanded in September 2024 to now include Niue as part of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy. Niue joins 14 other free-to-air broadcasters across the Pacific enjoying access to more than 2,000 hours of Australian TV content each year.

Australia funded the Cyclone Testing Station team from James Cook University in August 2024 to lead a national consultation program to support industry address the resilience of buildings and infrastructure. This will help inform national building standards to support sustainable and resilient infrastructure to meet future climate change events.  

The governments of Australia, Niue and New Zealand established the Niue International Trust Fund (NITF), in 2006, to provide a long-term, dependable revenue stream for the Niue Government. Australia contributed over AUD12.7 million to the NITF since its establishment, including a 2023-24 contribution of AUD1.6 million in recognition of Niue’s 50th anniversary of self-government in free association with New Zealand. 

Australia is funding the PacWastePlus  programme package, ship and dispose of asbestos containing material from Niue to support positive waste management and environmental outcomes.

Niue also benefits from non-ongoing COVID-19 measures. Funding from these measures will be included in actual figures published in the relevant Australia’s Official Development Assistance: Statistical Summary.

Australia is providing Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships to support Niuean students to undertake undergraduate and diploma-level study at the University of the South Pacific.