Niue Turns to Tourism-Cleans House Literally

A common sight in other Pacific countries-the many abandoned houses falling into ruin

NIUE HOMEOWNERS OBJECT TO DEMOLITION PLANS
Government wants derelicts removed

WELLINGTON, New Zealand Some New Zealand-based owners of derelict houses listed for demolition by the Niue government are outraged at the plan.

The Niue government has identified about 100 houses for demolition as it moves - with the support of the New Zealand government - towards making a stronger push to develop tourism.

Taha Fasi owns two houses in Niue and he says the government has no right to demolish them without his permission.

Mr Fasi says the houses - and the land they’re on - are owned by Niueans, not the government.

"I’m not a lawyer but certainly there are bound to be grounds of the owners of the house to legally challenge that as well. And there’s a question of compensation. The government will need to compensate families, especially if in they are trying to do this to secure and make or beautify the place for tourism, that the government will earn a return in the long run."

Yes, It is about time that absentee Niuean home owners took responsibilty for they decaying houses that give a bad impression of Niue to visitors and on-going work for the few family members left to look after the properties, mowing the lawns etc. It should be noted that the absentees most vocal against the government's drive to beautify Niue are the ones that haven't returned there for years, and sometimes decades. They have not only not contributed to their houses at home but also the upkeep of their own culture in the homeland. Many also never paid for there houses in the first place, homeloans being written off in the seventies. It has long been the problem for Niue: always wanting their cake and eating it too - something for nothing. Their assertions that the houses difine there identity and their land is sentimental tripe. If this is the case their identity is in and advanced state of decay.

Its time that the chickens came home to roost: Make your mind up, come back and contribute or leave for ever like the diaspora of other cultures.
Crossie, Liku, Niue (although currently in Viareggio, Italy)

I saw those houses and they would have been condemned long ago in most countries. They are shells without windows and doors.