Niue's Premier Toke Talagi says it will take up to fifteen years to create an environment which will attract overseas Niueans back home to live.
The atoll's population has been steadily decreasing and just 1300 remain on Niue
Mr Talagi was speaking to a delegation of New Zealand MPs, business people and aid groups, in Niue for the opening of the New Zealand funded Matavai Resort extension.
Mr Talagi says tourism is key to a long-term which also could include mining.
"This is a long term, five, ten, fifteen year programme. And it's to do with making sure conditions here are conducive to them thinking about returning home, building up a strong private sector, building up a strong tourism industry so that they can see their own employment and income generating opportunities for them when they return."
Niue's Premier Toke Talagi.
