17 Apr 2014

Niue premier confident on re-election

2:04 pm on 17 April 2014

The caretaker Premier of Niue says he will introduce a number of policy reforms and put more money into tourism to develop the island if re-elected for another term.

Toke Talagi says the results from the elections are 12 seats to the government and 8 to the opposition in the 20-member assembly.

He says the new assembly is yet to vote on who will take the premier or speaker role, and the cabinet line-up is yet to be finalised.

He says that will be done next week.

Mr Talagi says he hopes to change the way people see the developments in Niue and will plan as far ahead as 2050.

"We're changing the public service, we're changing the models that we're using for government businesses, we're also spending, investing a lot of money into tourism, to use it as a driver as the economic growth that we see happening and will continue to grow."

Toke Talagi says it will also look at whether the recently introduced four-day work week for public servants has been successful.

Mr Talagi will face a challenge for the leadership from prominent businessman, Stanley Kalauni.