It may sometimes seem as if we know all there is to know about the world and the countries and islands within. The internet has made it far easier to learn about the world and its many areas. However you may well have gone through your life thus far with no knowledge at all of Niue. However we are able to put an end to that and let you into a few secrets about Niue and the currency it uses. At least you won’t have any problems recognising its currency though, as it uses the New Zealand dollar.
What coins and notes are available for this currency?
The dollar – regardless of the type of dollar involved – is divided into 100 cents. This holds true for the New Zealand version as well, which is often referred to as the Kiwi dollar.
There are five coins available for the Kiwi dollar. Three of these are in cent values – the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins – while two others are in dollar values. These are the one and two dollar coins. Aside from this you can also find five banknotes in use on the island. These are the $5, $10, $20, $50 and finally the $100 dollar bills.
The New Zealand dollar is actually regarded as being pegged at par to the Niue currency, even though the New Zealand dollar is used in daily life to make transactions in Niue. This is because Niue does also have a dollar of its own – the appropriately-named Niue dollar. There are no banknotes for the Niue dollar but the government does release coins for the currency that are deemed to be legal tender. While they can be used in payment they are only really kept for collecting purposes. Thus you are very unlikely to come across any of them while paying for things or receiving change on the island.
From past to present – the history of the Niue New Zealand dollar
1966 was the year when Niue began to bring out its own commemorative coins. As we have learned though, the New Zealand dollar has been the currency of choice on the island for the most part. Indeed, the island has used the Kiwi dollar ever since its creation. Before this point they used the British pound. When this was the case the island brought out some commemorative coins for that currency as well, but specifically designed to be for Niue.
How to get hold of the Niue New Zealand dollar
It’s good to know this very popular and commonly-recognised currency is available to spend in Niue. It means you can get some dollars before you leave for the island so you are not empty-handed once you get there. Any good bureau de change should be able to get you some of the notes, although it is worth shopping around to see how good a deal you can get.
Banks are not a common sight on Niue. Furthermore it is unlikely that you would be able to pay with a credit or debit card. You may not be able to get anywhere with exchanging traveller’s cheques either. As such the best idea is to take enough cash to see you through your holiday there. Make sure you get more than you think you will need as you may not easily be able to get hold of more. There is a bank in Alofi but it would be a shame to disrupt your trip to make a special trip there for more cash if you don’t have to do so.
Most people who live and work on the island are familiar with doing business for cash. As such you can easily get by with paying cash for anything you do or buy there.
How to find out the latest exchange rate between your home currency and the Niue New Zealand dollar
You would have trouble finding out any further information about the Niue dollar, but since you will be using the New Zealand dollar on a daily basis you can easily get the latest exchange rate information on that. Just find a good quality currency converter you can use and find out how your currency is standing up against the Kiwi dollar at the moment. It’s worth remembering the rate you find will not be the rate you get when exchanging your cash for the dollar. However it will be pretty close, so it does give you something to go on.
You may think a lesser-known island such as Niue would be potentially difficult to find out more about. However it does have its own government and they have an official website. So if you are keen to go and you want to know more about this island, visit http://www.gov.nu to learn more today.
Travelling safely with the Niue New Zealand dollar
As is the case with some other islands, Niue is a very safe place to be. This is great news if you are planning to spend a holiday there, as you won’t have to worry about your safety. There is a jail but according to reports it is an open jail and crime is very rare here.
Safety is perhaps more important with regard to your health. Our research has revealed there is but one hospital on the island, and it offers no more than very basic services. If you find yourself in urgent need of more involved medical attention, you’ll be facing an airlift to New Zealand.
Really the only thing you need to be aware of here is the need to keep hold of your belongings… primarily so you don’t forget them and leave them behind. The chances of being affected by any crime are all are virtually non-existent. That’s good news as it means you can lie back and enjoy a wonderful holiday on the island.
Where to spend your dollars in Niue – and what to spend them on
Niue is located in the South Pacific. It is very remote in terms of location, and can be found out to the north-east of New Zealand. It is officially an associated state of New Zealand.
The island itself is pretty small, covering some 269 square kilometres. That might sound like a lot but it is said you could happily cycle around the island’s perimeter and complete the journey in about three hours. Indeed, many would say the idea of hiring a bicycle for your stay is a great one, as it allows you to explore the island at your leisure, without having to worry about how you will get from A to B all the time. You can hire a car if you prefer, but there is something appealing about being able to explore Niue by bike.
There is plenty you can see and do when you arrive on Niue. If you are particularly keen on getting out and about you’ll love it. For example there are plenty of tracks that criss-cross the island, all with signposts so you can explore quite easily. You can tackle some of these tracks by bike or simply head out in a pair of good walking shoes to enjoy some of the walks that provide great views out over the island.
Of course with the fact that you are on an island to consider, there are plenty of water-related activities to enjoy as well. Snorkelling is great in the fairly shallow waters just off the shore, and it also gives you the opportunity to enjoy some of the small beaches the island has to offer. You won’t find any huge beaches on Niue but this is actually a plus-point. You might just find a small one that no one else has found that day… and you may keep it that way for the duration of your time there.
If you’re the kind of person who prefers to try your hand at diving, you’ll love the chance you have to enjoy some serious diving around the island. The water is particularly clear here, which means you can really enjoy a different view of what life can be like beneath the waves. To say you can see for some distance is an understatement.
One of the main sites to promote Niue also covers the idea of going caving. The island itself consists of limestone, which is known to be incredibly porous. As such there are many caves and channels here that you wouldn’t know about at all unless you went to find them. It is a good idea – and indeed a safe one – to find a guided tour that will take you down into the caves themselves. Not only will this permit you to see the highlights on offer, it will also ensure you are safer than you would be if you went alone.
Conclusion
You may never have heard of Niue before you read this article. However you can see that this island has plenty going for it, and many people are keen to see it for themselves. With so many well-organised tours that will give you lots to look forward to in terms of really making the most of the island, you will never have a dull moment when you are there. In fact, if you haven’t yet booked a trip there, why not do so now?