Hurricanes and socio-economic development on Niue Island

This case study investigates the complex ways that recurrent ecological damage affected the course of socio-economic development on Niue Island, a Pacific micro-state. In tracing the historical record of droughts and hurricanes from 1900 to 1990, it is clear that severely inclement weather repeatedly destroyed agricultural development endeavours on the island leading to stagnation in this economic sector. In the aftermath of such disasters there were additional widespread social, political, and economic responses resulting in insidious but inexorable change. These responses - metaphoric "winds of change" - constituted, bolstered and sustained the transition to a MIRAB economy.(Asia Pacif Viewpoint/DÜI)