Future Ocean Leaders Rise to the Challenge!

Every Tuesday fortnightly we take to the schools in a fun and immersive careers class, sharing the many exciting opportunities that exist within the marine and ocean sector. From conservation, science, research, technology, media, tourism, policy, and community leadership students explored the wide range of pathways available for the next generation of ocean stewards.

As part of one of the earlier sessions we had, students took part in an interactive climate challenge where teams were given different climate change scenarios with challenge where if they had $50K, how would they use it to develop practical solutions and present their ideas like real-world project teams. The activity sparked inspiring discussions around reef protection, coastal resilience, and community-driven initiatives, with students showcasing strong creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills throughout the presentations.

One of the highlights was seeing how well students connected these global climate challenges back to local sites and realities here in Niue, demonstrating a deep understanding of how these issues directly impact life on the Rock and the importance of local solutions for local communities.

NOW Learning Exchange Tour – RMACs 2026

In March 21st 2026, Niue Ocean Wide (NOW), alongside village Resource Management Advisory Committees (RMACs), undertook a Learning Exchange Tour to Aotearoa New Zealand an important step in strengthening community-led ocean stewardship. 14 Villages and 2 champions from each of those villages RMAC were represented in the tour alongside NOW Team, representatives from government departments and key stakeholders.

The visit provided a unique opportunity to experience firsthand how marine and coastal conservation, alongside sustainable resource management, is implemented in practice. Through engagement with iwi, communities, government, philanthropy, and business partners, the village RMACs deepened their understanding of marine spatial planning (MSP), community led action and initiatives, climate resilience, the investment and the necessary sacrifices required to support long-term conservation outcomes. The core purpose of the tour are as follows:

1.    Build knowledge, see, experience, and learn what marine and coastal conservation and sustainable management looks like in practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.

2.    Build local community capacity and awareness of the purpose, methodologies, and required investment with respect to environmental and resource conservation and management and building resilience in the face of climate change through MSP.

3.    Share Niue Ocean Wide’s story with others (including representatives of iwi, Niuean diaspora, community, Government, philanthropy and business in Aotearoa New Zealand) and celebrate the journey and achievements of NOW.

4.    Build networks and partnerships across Aotearoa New Zealand to support community efforts in Niue.

5.    Help build the network and collaboration between Niue’s village Resource Management Advisory Committees (RMAC’s).

Investing in the next Ocean Stewards – Dents & Tents workshop

Over the course of 5 days days (April 20- 25th April) students from Niue High School participated in an immersive workshop designed to introduce them to opportunities within the marine sector. Delivered by Sharks Pacific in collaboration with Niue Ocean Wide (NOW), the program combined classroom learning with hands-on experiences in Niue’s ocean environment.

Throughout the week, students transitioned from theory to practice, gaining exposure to real-world marine science and conservation techniques. Highlights included designing and testing their own BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems), deploying the world-class deep-sea camera DORIS, and conducting reef transects to better understand marine ecosystems.

NOW Trust Scholarship Graduate Achievement

13.12.2025  Tongakilo-Rhys Tohovaka, walk the stage to receive his Bachelor of Applied Science from University of Otago a truly proud and inspiring moment. On behalf of Niue Ocean Wide (NOW), we extend our massive congratulations to Tongakilo-Rhys as one of the two successful recipients of the NOW Trust Scholarship Awards 2024 who has not only completed his studies, but graduated with distinction through perseverance, discipline, and commitment.
Your achievement reflects the power of opportunity, support, and determination, and serves as an inspiration to Niuean youth everywhere. We celebrate this milestone with you and your family and look forward to the positive impact your knowledge and skills will bring back to our island and beyond. Fakaaue lahi & congratulations on this outstanding achievement.

Niue Ocean Wide Trust Awards First Resource Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) Village Grants

The Niue Ocean Wide Trust (NOW Trust) proudly announces the first round of Resource Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) village grants, a milestone in Niue’s journey toward community-led ocean conservation and sustainable development.
Seven villages Alofi South, Mutalau, Liku, Toi, Hakupu, Avatele, and Tuapa  have been completed and awarded NZD $20,000 annually to implement locally designed conservation and blue economy projects over a three-year period. The remaining Seven villages have their proposals well underway for future support in due course.

Left – Right ( Etaena Poihega (NOW Trustee) Coral Pasisi (NOW Trust -Vice Chair) Avi Rubin (NOW Trustee) Gayleen Tasmania (NOW Trustee) Hon. Dalton Tagelagi (NOW Trust – Chair) Hon Mona Ainu’u (NOW Trustee)

This initiative strengthens the co-management framework at the heart of the Niue Ocean Wide Initiative Public – Private Partnership, empowering communities to lead with cultural integrity and environmental stewardship. As the program enters its second year, the NOW Trust remains committed to supporting inclusive participation and village-driven action within the co-management arrangement with central government. The initiative supports RMACs as they turn local knowledge into lasting impact from sustainable tourism ventures to the revitalization and maintenance of culture and traditional practices.

(The Video below reflects the excitement of the NOW Trust in approving the first tranche of funds and the 7 Village RMACs highlighting 2 out of many key objectives in the use of their respective funds)

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Teaching Future Ocean Leaders to Dive

As part of building Niue’s responsible future ocean custodians, NOW partnered with a local dive company, Niue Blue, to support six Niue High School Students to undertake Padi Dive Courses. The investment focused on supporting students who had interests in the ocean. The course provided the students the opportunity to see what NOW is protecting and the opportunity to engage them in the idea of possible career paths in the marine space. (Featured in the video are 3 of the 6 students who were available to dive at the time)

Making Traditional Fishing Hooks – Maintaining traditional knowledge

NOW supports the maintenance of traditional knowledge in the school by providing tools to assist in the process of the making of traditional fishing hooks and sinkers and the practice and processes involved and so much more to come. We speak to Jackson Hekesi about his passion as a school teacher and the how passing on this traditional knowledge to his students really inspires him. This is just the beginning of more awesome stories and videos to come. watch this space!

The Maintenance of traditional knowledge – NOW Supports Niue delegation at 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC)

The Ocean and the Land is part of our livelihoods as Niuean’s, its our identity. At the Festival of Pacific Arts and Cultural Festival (FestPAC) We were fortunate to capture a few of Niue’s prominent cultural Traditional knowledge holders – explaining why it is important to maintain traditional practices. These practices are valuable knowledge that carry stories through Performing arts Vagahau Niue (Niuean Language) Weaving, Education. Supporting the maintenance of traditional knowledge is one of the key value drivers embedded in the metrics of the NOW Trust and Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs). Traditional knowledge have been passed down from generations carrying stories of the Niue people, their survival and adaptation to change. We strive to maintain these local Taoaga- our national treasures and cultural verified science.

Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing arts (Dances & Songs) Lavea Puheke – Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder – Performing Arts, Music Composition & Choreography

Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing arts (Dances & Songs) Tom Misikea – Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder – Performing Arts, Music Composition & Choreography

Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing arts (Dances & Songs) Tom junior Misikea – Young Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder – Performing Arts

Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Weaving (Arts & Crafts) Inangaro Vakaafi – Young Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder – Weaver

Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing Arts (Songs & Dances) Ben Tanaki – Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder Composer/Tutor