The Premier of Niue has taken over the management of the government's liquor retailer, the Bond Store, following another shortage of beer.
Under the administration of the Customs and Tax Department, the Bond Store has run out of beer at least four times over the past 19 months.
The Premier of Niue, Toke Talagi, says this time an order was not placed in time to receive fresh supplies of beer.
The Premier says he is flabbergasted at the poor management of the shop and says he has had enough.
"I intend to set up a management system that will enable the bond store manager to run it as a good commercial business that will learn good money for the island and from the increased number of tourists coming through."
The Premier says as a short-term solution to the shortage, cartons of beer have been airfreighted to Niue at a cost of 99 US dollars for 24 cans, almost three times the usual rate.
