On the isolated and tranquil paradise of Pukapuka, the community came together to celebrate a milestone – the 60th anniversary of Niua School, the island’s only school, which has provided education to generations of students.

Niue School was officially opened on April 22, 1964, by Governor General Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson, the last British-born governor-general of New Zealand.

For more than six decades, the school has been educating children, dating back to its presumed origins around the early 1940s at the Cook Islands Christian Church grounds.

The 60^th anniversary celebration held last month was marked by a special song sung on the day composed by its principal Poti Maeva.

Former students of Niua School, Takave Koree, Tango Ravarua, Turia Lito, Coroner Rubena, and Rabana Temoana, were “proud and happy” to be at the event.

Nineteen-year-old Koree started school at Niua at the age of four. Her teacher at the time was Riita Malo.

Koree says she has fond memories of the school and was pleased to be on the island to attend the school’s anniversary.

A plaque in remembrance of the principals who have served at Niua School was carved by Composer Rikini, stained by Manongi Tiro, varnished by Puapii Wuatai, and their names written by Elaine Ravarua.

Geoffery Tiavare Henry, originally from Aitutaki, is credited as the school’s first principal during its time at the Pukapuka Justice Building.

When the school was relocated to the CICC Church grounds, Yala Tamuta was the acting principal, followed by Tiakana Numanga from Rarotonga from 1943 to 1946.

In 1957, the school was relocated to the Niua Yā grounds in Yato when Tama Pikikaa Benioni from Aitutaki became the principal until 1959.

From 1959 to 1960, Manarii Pierre Tutangata from Rarotonga was the principal followed by Arona Tariau from Pukapuka from 1960 to 1963.

When Niua School officially opened in 1964, principal Tariau continued until 1970.

Pukapuka resident Koree “Kolee” Tinga wrote the following brief about the 60^th anniversary.

“Kua raveia te akamaara anga i te 60 anga mataiti o te Apii Pukapuka ‘Nina Yā School’.

“Mei te mataiti i akaneke ia ai te apii Kavamani mei te turanga mua i te marae o te akonoanga CICC i te mataiti 1956 ki te motu o Yatō, koia a Niua Yā. Ko Tama Pikikā Benioni te Principal i te reira tuatau. E au are kikau te au are i akatūia i te reira tuatau.

“Kua akatū ia te au are apii ou ki reira  rai i te mataiti 1963, e kua akatuera ia i te 1964. Ko Arona Tariau te Principal i te reira tuatau. Mei te reira mataiti ki teia mataiti ko te 60 ia o te mataiti. Ko Poti Maeva te Principal i teia mataiti 2024 i akamaara ia ai te 60 mataiti o teia apii Niua Yā.

“Kua tae mai te enua katoatoa ki teia akakoroanga, kua mataora, kua rave te au tamataora a te tamariki akaepaepa i teia ra. I muri ake, kua rave atu te tuanga o te kaikai.”