Niue National Anthem
Ko e Iki he Lagi
1963
1974
Unknown
Unknown; prepared by Sioeli Fusikata
✝ God / Faith 🏛 Identity ❤ Love of homeland |
Key Facts
- 1. The author of the words and the composer of the music are both unknown; it is only recorded that Sioeli Fusikata prepared, or set down, the music.
- 2. At the first South Pacific Games in 1963, where each territory was asked to bring an identifying tune for its gold-medal ceremonies, Niue came with the New Zealand flag but a tune of its own, this hymn; it was never played there.
- 3. It was adopted as the national anthem in 1974, the year the Niue Constitution Act granted Niue free association with New Zealand.
- 4. The entire anthem is built around a single repeated refrain, "ki Niue nei" ("over Niue"), affirming God's rule over the island.
Niue National Anthem Lyrics
Ko e Iki he Lagi
Kua fakaalofa mai
Ki Niue nei, ki Niue nei
Kua pule totonu
E Patuiki toatu
Kua pule okooko ki Niue nei
Ki Niue nei, ki Niue nei
Ki Niue nei, ki Niue nei
Kua pule okooko ki Niue nei
Kua pule ki Niue nei
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
Editorial"Ko e Iki he Lagi" ("The Lord in Heaven") became the national anthem of Niue in 1974, when the Niue Constitution Act made the island a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, superseding "God Defend New Zealand". The hymn was already often heard on Niue in the early 1960s. Its author and composer are unknown, though it is recorded that Sioeli Fusikata set the music down on paper. The short anthem praises the Lord in Heaven, who loves Niue and rules over it completely.
Learn More
Sources & References
- Ko e Iki he Lagi . Wikipedia (2026)
- Niue . nationalanthems.info (2013)
- The Government of Niue . Government of Niue (2026)
Source & Review
- Source status
- Reliable secondary source
- Translation
- Nationalia working translation
- Rights status
- Third-party rights may apply
- Last reviewed
- Editorial review
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Editorial owner
- Nationalia
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