Early history Until the beginning of the 18th century, there appears to have been no national government or national leader in Niue. Before that time, chiefs and heads of family exercised authority over segments of the population. Around 1700, the concept and practice of kingship appears to have been introduced through contact with Samoa or Tonga. From then on, a succession of patu-iki (kings) ruled the island, the first of whom was Puni-mata. Tui-toga, who reigned from 1875 to 1887, was the first Christian king of Niue.S. Percy Smith, Niuē-fekai (or Savage) Island and its People, 1903, pp.36-44 (See: List of Niuean monarchs) Captain Cook Captain James Cook was the first European to sight the island, but he was unable to land there due to fierce opposition by the local population. The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica claimed this was due to native fear of foreign disease.1911 Encyclopedia, "Niue" In response, Cook named Niue the Savage Island. Christian missionaries Photo by Thomas Andrew of the interior of church building in Alofi, 1896. Christian missionaries from the London Missionary Society converted most of the population circa 1846.  Other 19th Century Visitors The island was visited by Captain John Erskine in H.M.S. Havannah in July 1849.
Early history Until the beginning of the 18th century, there appears to have been no national government or national leader in Niue. Before that time, chiefs and heads of family exercised authority over segments of the population. Around 1700, the concept and practice of kingship appears to have been introduced through contact with Samoa or Tonga. From then on, a succession of patu-iki (kings) ruled the island, the first of whom was Puni-mata. European contact Captain James Cook was the first European to sight the island, but he was unable to land there due to fierce opposition by the local population. The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica claimed this was due to native fear of foreign disease.1911 Encyclopedia, "Niue" In response, Cook named Niue the Savage Island. Photo by Thomas Andrew of the interior of church building in Alofi, 1896. Christian missionaries from the London Missionary Society converted most of the population circa 1846. Tui-toga, who reigned from 1875 to 1887, was the first Christian king of Niue.S. Percy Smith, Niuē-fekai (or Savage) Island and its People, 1903, pp.36-44 The island was visited by Captain John Erskine in H.M.S. Havannah in July 1849.
D
Tui-toga, who reigned from 1875 to 1887, was the first Christian king of Niue.S. Percy Smith, Niuē-fekai (or Savage) Island and its People, 1903, pp.36-44 (See: List of Niuean monarchs)
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Captain Cook Captain
European contact Captain
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Christian missionaries
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Tui-toga, who reigned from 1875 to 1887, was the first Christian king of Niue.S. Percy Smith, Niuē-fekai (or Savage) Island and its People, 1903, pp.36-44
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Other 19th Century Visitors