Sir Toke Talagi, who has been Niue's premier since 2008, was elected to serve a fourth term on Saturday (Friday Niue time). Photo: RNZI Indira Stewart
Sir Toke Talagi has been elected to serve a fourth term as Niue's premier.
The island's parliament sat to hold a vote this morning, a week after elections in the country of 1,600 people.
Sir Toke won by 15 votes to five, soundly beating a challenge from the former High Commissioner to New Zealand, O'Love Jacobsen.
Ms Jacobsen won the most votes in the election for the common roll seats last Sunday.
Sir Toke, who was first elected in 2008, sought another term as leader saying he had unfinished business, despite ailing health that saw him flown to Auckland twice last year for treatment.
One of those tasks is the continued push for a seat at the United Nations, something New Zealand, which is responsible for Niue's foreign affairs, refuses to allow.
A government official said Sir Toke will spend the weekend deciding the makeup of his new cabinet, which is expected to be announced next week.