List of Niuean monarchs

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Niue today is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, and recognises the Queen of New Zealand as monarch. However, the island previously had an indigenous monarchy, established around the beginning of the eighteenth century.

Before that time, there appears to have been no national government or national leader in Niue. 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. The function of monarch was non-hereditary; patu-iki were reportedly elected by the Niuean population, with the candidates being issued from influential families. As described by Stephenson Percy Smith in 1903, Niue appears therefore to have been a democratic elective monarchy.

1 List
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[edit] List

[edit] List of patu-iki

Puni-mata (c.1700-?). He was the first patu-iki. His death, of old age, was followed by an interregnum of significant but indeterminate length.
Patua-valu (?-?). He was nominated for kingship by the population's elected choice, Tage-lagi, who declined the position and opted instead to be Patua-valu's lifelong bodyguard. Patua-valu died of old age.
Galiga, or Galiaga-a-Iki (?-?). This patu-iki was murdered by a person called Tikomata. Following his death, Fakana-iki and Hetalaga vied to replace him, but failed to secure the approval of the population. Foki-mata eventually became the fourth patu-iki instead.
Foki-mata (?-1874?).
Pakieto (1874?-1875?). He was patu-iki for only a year. Following his death, a war of succession occurred.
Tui-toga (1875-1887). The first Christian king of Niue. He was anointed on March 2nd, 1875, and died on June 13, 1887
Fata-a-iki (1887-1896). Niue's second Christian king was anointed on November 21, 1888, but began ruling the island the previous year, following the death of his predecessor. One of his first acts as patu-iki, in 1887, was to write a letter to the British Queen Victoria, requesting that Niue become a protectorate of the British Empire, so as to prevent annexation by another colonial power. His letter read: "We the chiefs and rulers and governors of Niue-Fekai desire to pray Your Majesty and Your Majesty's Kingdom, if it be your pleasure to stretch out towards us your mighty hand that Niue may hide herself in it and be safe." The letter was not answered, and King Fata-a-iki repeated his request in 1895, to no avail.
Togia-Pulu-toaki (1896?-?). Anointed on June 30, 1898. Under his rule, laws were adopted forbidding the sale of Niuean lands to foreigners, and the sale of liquor to Niueans. He was the king who finally ceded Niue to the British Empire on April 21, 1900, and who welcomed a Resident representative of the imperial government on Niue on September 11, 1901.

[edit] List of British monarchs ruling over Niue

From 1900 to 1901, Niue was ruled by the United Kingdom. In 1901, the island was annexed by New Zealand, which administered it in the name of the British Empire. In 1907, New Zealand became a Dominion, and the British monarch reigned over Niue in his or her capacity as monarch of New Zealand. Elizabeth II was the first monarch to be explicity titled Queen of New Zealand, however, in 1952.