The underpopulated island of Niue is to develop a strategy on how to boost its population.
The Premier and Finance Minister, Young Vivian, says the lack of people is the critical issue facing the island.
Mr Vivian has been encouraging Niueans in New Zealand to return home and the government is also in discussions with Tuvalu about some of its people immigrating, but so far, without success.
Niue has been developing several industries but Mr Vivian says from next year around one hundred extra workers will be required on the island for the noni juice and fishing operations.
He says they have asked New Zealand academics to develop a proper strategy on how to attract people to the island.
"We have talked with people at the University of Waikato and some academic people to come and have a look. People who have looked at this particular problem in other places, or the population question in other places."
Last week, the New Zealand Government added another five million US dollars to Niue's Trust Fund, which Mr Vivian says is a vote of approval that the island is moving in the right direction.
