Everybody moves away

The week's news at a glance.

Alofi, Niue

Niue, a Pacific island that is the world’s smallest self-governing country, may have to give up its independence after a tornado flattened the capital this week. Just 2,100 people live on the coral atoll, only half of them native Niueans. Some 20,000 Niueans have already moved to New Zealand, where they can claim citizenship as former colonial subjects. The Kiwi option is “a blessing and a curse,” said Prime Minister Toke Talagi. “Those people who have contemplated leaving will now be resolved to leave.” He said he feared that the population would drop to an unsustainable 500 in the coming months.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us