Niuean Etiquette: Niue Customs & Traditions

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What to Wear in Niue

Niue is a religious nation where wearing appropriate clothing is important to the locals. While not as strict on clothing as other South Pacific Islands, Niue does have a few social rules when it comes to what to wear.

How to Dress in Public

When outside of your accommodation, it’s a good idea to dress modestly and respectfully. For example, don’t walk around or ride your bike shirtless. Of course, avoid nudity in public.

For more tips on what to wear, take a look at What to Wear in Niue: Clothes Packing List.

Swimwear in Niue

A general rule for wearing swimwear in Niue is that swimwear should only be worn for swimming. Swimwear should not be too skimpy (no thong bikinis and no Speedos) and definitely no nudity.

It is prohibited to wear swimwear in the town and villages, which includes both men and women. It is acceptable to cover up swimwear with a long T-shirt or paleu (sarong), for instance.

What to Wear for Church

When going to a church service, both men and women must wear clothes that cover below the knee. Suitable attire is a collared shirt and pants for the men and a knee-length skirt for the women. Also for women, it’s preferred if they where an appropriate hat (like those for sale at the markets), but it’s Ok if tourists don’t have one. Avoid wearing all-white in church, as these have religious meanings for the locals.

Find out more about church etiquette in the 10 Best Churches in Niue for Visitors.

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Sunday Rules in Niue

Sunday is a sacred day in Niue, used as a day of worship and rest. For this reason, there are a few protocols to be aware of regarding Sunday in Niue.

Some of the local customs to respect on a Sunday include:

• Do not go down sea tracks near a church while the church is in session, which is typically once in the morning at 9 am/10 am and once in the afternoon at 3 pm/4 pm
• Avoid swimming near village greens and churches
• If going to church, wear suitable attire, such as a covered top and knee-length skirts for ladies and collared shirts and pants for males
• Activities like fishing, diving and boating are forbidden on a Sunday.

For more on Sunday etiquette, check out Sundays in Niue: What You Need to Know.

What Can You Do on a Sunday in Niue?

There are still some activities that are perfectly acceptable to do on a Sunday. For instance, playing golf, going sightseeing and swimming as long as it’s away from village greens and churches. There are also a few restaurants open for dinner on Sunday. See the 10 Things to Do in Niue on a Sunday for more ideas.

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Kaloama Season

The goatfish season, more commonly known as the kaloama season, is an important time in Niue when juvenile goatfish frequent Niue’s waters. A tradition in the Niuean culture is to fish them to feed their families.

It’s a bittersweet time to be in Niue for tourists, as while it’s a great time to see authentic tradition in action, it means that some of the sea tracks to popular coastal attractions are closed. The season only happens once a year at an unpredictable time for an unpredictable length of time, but typically occurs in February or March.

In short, do not go down sea tracks that are closed during the kaloama season. See What You Need to Know About the Kaloama/Goatfish Season in Niue for more details

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Other Etiquette Rules for Niue

While not fitting into a specific category, there are some other local customs and rules to observe when visiting Niue.

Niue Cultural Protocols on Land

• Waving is customary when travelling around the island. Wave to everyone you pass while driving, walking or biking on the roads
• Tipping is not expected or mandatory, but it is appreciated
• Haggling is not customary
• Stick to the speed limits when driving – see How to Drive in Niue for more information and tips
• Do not do a U-turn at any intersections or at the parliament buildings
• Take all rubbish with you when you leave
• Avoid areas where a fono (prohibition) is in place – this is usually indicated by coconut palm leaves hung and tied around the area
• All land in Niue is owned by someone, do not take flora or fauna (like fruit) from somewhere without the landowner’s permission
• When walking, be mindful of traffic and stick to the roadside
• Do not park over, litter or damage gravestones or burial sites
• The legal drinking age in Niue is 18 years old
• Contribute to Niue’s commitment to sustainability through appropriate waste, energy and water management and conservation – see tips in the 25 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in Niue.

Niue Cultural Protocols for Water Activities

• Don’t touch the vaka (canoes) you see down sea tracks
• If you see a vaka fisher, ask if it is Ok to swim
• Seek local authority before fishing off the reef or rocks (there are more rules surrounding fishing, which you can find in The Guide to Fishing in Niue)
• It is illegal to swim with whales without being with a licensed operator