General elections were held in Niue on 2 May 2026, having been called by Speaker Hima Douglas on 11 March 2026. The list of candidates was announced on 16 April. Key issues in the island territory included rising grocery and fuel prices, as well as frequent power outages.
Following the election, Dalton Tagelagi was re-elected for a third term as prime minister. Douglas, who intended to retire from politics, was replaced by Billy Talagi as speaker of the Niue Assembly.
Background
The previous elections in 2023 saw three of the common-roll seats go to newcomers; Sonya Talagi won the last of them by two votes. Six women were elected, and three sitting MPs were unseated. Dalton Tagelagi was re-elected as premier, and proceeded to appoint the first gender-balanced cabinet in Niuean history.
Four constitutional amendments advanced through the assembly in 2024, which included proposals to change the title "premier" to "prime minister", increase the cabinet from four members to six, extend the term of the assembly from three years to four years, and identify the auditor-general of New Zealand as Niue's official auditor. Changes to cabinet size and term length were rejected, but the title change and the auditor designation were approved.
On 3 June 2024, New Zealand's prime minister Christopher Luxon stated that the nation of Niue will be able to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources following a pledged investment of $20.5 million, while $2 million was also committed by New Zealand to Niue's Ocean Wide Trust (NOW) to ensure long-term climate resiliency. During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of self-government in October 2024, prime minister Tagelagi highlighted the various developments that have taken place in the various sectors of health, education, conservation, and the arts. On 8 November 2024, Tagelagi announced a cabinet reshuffle. Germany would recognise Niue as a sovereign state on 3 February 2026 following a meeting between Tagelagi and German foreign minister Johann Wadephul, establishing regional cooperation relating to climate change. Tagelagi would propose a meeting with the Realm of New Zealand on 4 February 2026, while also signaling that he may seek one more term as prime minister before stepping away from politics. Assembly Speaker Douglas, who retained the speakership in 2023, announced his retirement from speakership ahead of the 2026 election.
Electoral system The 20 members of the assembly are elected by two methods; 14 are elected from single-member consistencies using first-past-the-post voting and six are elected from a single nationwide constituency by multiple non-transferable vote. Political parties have not been formed. After the election, the members of the assembly elect a speaker from outside parliament, and a prime minister, who must be an MP. The prime minister then chooses a cabinet.
Since 2023, candidates seeking nomination must pay a fee of NZ$200.
Campaign The campaign period officially began following the dissolution of the Assembly on 27 March 2026. Economic pressure remained the main concern for Niueans, as the prices of groceries and fuel rose and electricity outages became frequent. Secondary issues included the brain drain affecting the nation, pressure on essential services such as healthcare and transport, and climate resilience. Incumbent prime minister Dalton Tagelagi stated that his final term, if elected, would focus on implementing projects including a new justice building in Alofi and a $9 million Asian Development Bank project to expand aged care into a retirement village, along with conducting feasibility studies on wharf upgrades and a disaster response warehouse. 26 candidates contested village representatives seats, while 18 candidates ran for the common roll seats. In April 2026, Tagelagi's cabinet confirmed that fuel prices would be increased in stages, with a potential 150% jump in costs by June, while also urging Niueans to use fuel wisely and not to panic buy. Petrol prices soared to NZ$3.80 per litre, especially in the aftermath of the 2026 Iran war. 10 common roll candidates addressed the township during a village meeting in Alofi South, while another forum was hosted by alumni of the University of the South Pacific at the Matavai Resort, where candidates presented their long-term visions for the nation. Tagelagi contested his village seat of Alofi South, while also acknowledging the current challenges facing Niue during the campaign. Results that come from Alofi South will both determine whether Tagelagi will keep his seat and who is able to form a majority to lead the 19th Niue Assembly.
Conduct Advance voting was conducted the day before the election, and polling booths on election day were open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm local time (UTC−11:00). Preliminary results were available live from 7:00 pm, and official results were declared on 6 May 2026.
Results Preliminary results that were disclosed on 3 May 2026 indicated that the majority of incumbents returned to the Assembly. Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui, Sonya Talagi and Sinahemana Hekau were re-elected through the common roll, while Robert BJ Rex, Moira Enetama, and Richmond Lisimoni-Togahai were newly elected. Finance minister Crossley Tatui, Billy Talagi, and O'Love Jacobsen all lost their common roll seats. Tutuli Heka in Alofi North, Richie Mautama in Hakupu, Silepea Sione in Namukulu, and Talaititama Talaiti in Vaiea were re-elected unopposed. Several other ministers and village representatives returned to the Assembly, including Ian Hipa in Hikutavake, Logopati Seumanu in Liku, Rhonda Tiakia in Lakepa, Maureen Melekitama in Mutalau, and Dion Taufitu in Toi. Incumbent prime minister Dalton Tagelagi was narrowly re-elected in Alofi South by one vote, defeating his challenger Alana Rex. In Tamakautoga, incumbent Ricky Makani lost his seat to newcomer Hiki Puheke, while in Avatele, Pita Vakanofiti was unseated by Hetututama Hetutu. A record number of seven women were elected to the Assembly. Common roll
By constituency CandidateAlofi NorthAlofi SouthAvateleHakupuHikutavakeLakepaLikuMakefuMutalauNamukuluTamakautogaToiTuapaVaieaRobert Leslie Rex6215741491034343034244153613Moira Enetama5211334451153302636729124217Richmond Lisimoni-Togahai3187354413231612245177395Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui6298171192412131231482913Sonya Talagi29511741121818222361812409Sinahemana Hekau30781919822251614428141512James Douglas2759452171321111513971714Matagi Vilitama22562329420131537324102712Crossley Tatui 22482286418158122218199O'Love Jacobsen3185231457218902872123Stanley Kalauni416911231314251392873110Billy Talagi165847228141311102263279Dempster Tomailuga2155946912188160164226Esther Pavihi16533186246963207326Terry Coe1752138710161042219820Tom Misikea32010682101426060101Rosa Togahai6428597486041180Sioneheke Leolahi9163120425505221Total votes4971,19740855113732730322727842368133435180Source: Broadcasting Corporation of Niue
Constituencies +Results for constituencies Constituency Candidate Votes % Results Alofi North Tutuli Heka–– Alofi South Dalton Tagelagi11150.23 Alana Rex11049.77 Total221100.00 Valid votes22197.79 Invalid/blank votes52.21 Total votes226100.00 Avatele Hetututama Hetutu4156.94 Pita Vakanofiti3143.06Unseated Total72100.00 Valid votes7296.00 Invalid/blank votes34.00 Total votes75100.00 Hakupu Richie Mautama–– Hikutavake Ian Hipa1460.87 Opili Talafasi939.13 Total23100.00 Valid votes23100.00 Invalid/blank votes00.00 Total votes23100.00 Lakepa Rhonda Tiakia4369.35 Charlotte Magatogia1930.65 Total62100.00 Valid votes6296.88 Invalid/blank votes23.12 Total votes64100.00 Liku Logopati Seumanu3564.81 Sionetasi Pulehetoa1935.19 Total54100.00 Valid votes54100.00 Invalid/blank votes00.00 Total votes54100.00 Makefu Tofua Puletama2676.47 Charlie Tohovaka823.53 Total34100.00 Valid votes3491.89 Invalid/blank votes38.11 Total votes37100.00 Mutalau Maureen Melekitama2453.33 Pelenato Bourne1737.78 Makaseau Ioane48.89 Total45100.00 Valid votes45100.00 Invalid/blank votes00.00 Total votes45100.00Namukulu Silepea Sione–– Tamakautoga Hiki Puheke2841.79 Ricky Makani2334.33Unseated Andrew Funaki1623.88 Total67100.00 Valid votes6793.06 Invalid/blank votes56.94 Total votes72100.00 Toi Dion Taufitu1881.82 Melealiva Kaulima418.18 Total22100.00 Valid votes2295.65 Invalid/blank votes14.35 Total votes23100.00 Tuapa Mona Ainuu6077.92 Henry Eveni1722.08 Total77100.00 Valid votes77100.00 Invalid/blank votes00.00 Total votes77100.00 Vaiea Talaititama Talaiti––
Aftermath The Niue Assembly reconvened on 13 May 2026 to elect a speaker and a prime minister. Elected members of the Assembly, new or returning, were sworn in. Billy Talagi, who had lost his common roll seat, became the new speaker of the Assembly after defeating Togia Sioneholo in a 12–8 vote. Dalton Tagelagi was also re-elected for a third term as prime minister after defeating Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui in a close vote of 11–9. Tagelagi's third cabinet was announced on 19 May, maintaining a gender-balanced cabinet. Richie Mautama became home minister, Rhonda Tiakia was appointed justice and land minister, and Sinahemana Hekau became health and education minister.
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