Niue aims for greater self-reliance

Niue's leader says the island wants to be less dependent on financial support from New Zealand.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is visiting the country today as part of her Pacific Mission trip.

In a speech Sir Toke Talagi said New Zealand had provided tens of millions of dollars of support during his time in power but his government's aim is to become more self sufficient.

"In the future I would expect us to generate sufficient money so that we can look after ourselves, as much as we can without necessarily having to ask New Zealand for what I call operational budgets."

Sir Toke Talagi said he knows some people were sceptical, but he only cared about achieving his goals and making Niue a prosperous place.

Last month he was in Wellington seeking additional funding to rebuild much of the country's infrastructure, which has fallen into a parlous state.