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Social Profile
Food & Drink: Many ceremonies and social events stem from the processing of food. One community ritual is based on the extraction of nu pia starch from arrowroot, which is used in traditional dishes and soups and often given as a gift. Another ritualised ceremony surrounds ti root, which is made into a sweet drink or eaten as a sweet with coconuts. The luku fern is another indigenous plant used in Niuean cooking and is boiled, stir-fried or baked in an earth oven with coconut cream and chicken or corned beef. Other popular foods include taro, kumara, coconuts, pawpaw, bananas, tomatoes, capsicum and many varieties of yam. Restaurants in Niue include Sails Restaurant and the Matavai Resort. Lunch is available at Gabe’s, Niue Trading, Rex’s, Tapeu Fisheries, Tavana’s Snack Bar, Huanalli Snack Bar and Taki’s Cafe. Ciao Cafe, Voejays, Huanaki Snack Bar and Malino’s are open for lunch and dinner, bookings are required. Restaurants do not have service charge or tax.
Nightlife: There is a number of enjoyable nightclubs, Veejays being one of the most popular. Other venues include Niue Hotel, Matavai Resort and Island Style. Hakupu Village also hosts a traditional cultural night once a week beginning with a tour of the village, followed by a traditional feast with dancing and singing.
Shopping: Niuean women are especially regarded for the quality of their weaving, producing hats, baskets, handbags and mats from indigenous plants, such as pandanus, which make excellent buys for the visitor. These are available to visitors at the Niue Handicraft Shop in the Alofi Commercial Centre and Hinapoto Handcrafts at the Cultural Centre. Other recommended purchases include T-shirts and stamps. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1600. There are generally one or two small stores in most villages around the island which are open in the evenings and during weekends.
Special Events: For a complete list of special events, contact Niue Tourism Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following are a selection of events being held in 2003:
Jan 2003 Takai Week. May Makefu Village Show Day. Jun Hakupu Atua Annual Show Day; Queen’s Birthday Golf Ambrose Tournament including Westpac Rally of the Rock. Jul Alofi South Show Day. Jul/Aug Cricket Season. Aug Lakepa Village Show Day. Sep Tuapa Village Show Day; Alofi North Village Annual Show Day. Oct Annual Constitution Golf Tournament; Avatele Village Show Day; Mutalau Village Show Day; Constitution Day Celebrations. Nov Annual Golf Championship; Tamakautonga Show Day. Dec 30 Liku Village Annual Show Day.
Social Conventions: Niuean children are bestowed with gifts of money or handmade mats and cloths from their relatives upon coming of age, when girls have their ears pierced and boys receive their first haircut. It is polite to ask permission before entering private land. Niueans consider Sunday as a serious day of rest and most attend church both in the morning and afternoon. While many people play golf, go swimming or sightsee, certain activities, such as boating and fishing, are not allowed on Sunday. For further information on Sunday protocol, contact the Niue Tourism Office (see Contact Addresses section). Clothing is usually casual, cool and comfortable but women often wear a hat and cover their shoulders for church and men wear long trousers. Swimming attire is not acceptable in towns or villages. Tipping: Not encouraged.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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