Many ceremonies and social events stem from the processing of food. One community ritual is based on the extraction of nu pia starch from arrowroot, which is used in traditional dishes and soups and often given as a gift. Another ritualised ceremony surrounds ti root, which is made into a sweet drink or eaten as a sweet with coconuts.

Things to know: Restaurants do not have service charge or tax.

National specialities:
• The luku fern is another indigenous plant used in Niuean cooking and is boiled, stir-fried or baked in an earth oven with coconut cream and chicken or corned beef.
• Other popular foods include shellfish, taro, kumara, coconuts, pawpaw, bananas, tomatoes, capsicum and many varieties of yam.

Tipping: Not encouraged.

There are a number of nightclubs. Hakupu Village also hosts a traditional fiafia (cultural night) once a week beginning with a tour of the village, followed by a traditional feast with dancing and singing (advance booking is recommended).

Niuean women are especially regarded for the quality of their weaving, producing hats, baskets, handbags and mats from indigenous plants, such as pandanus, which make excellent buys for the visitor. These are available to visitors at a handful of shops and can also be found at village show days.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600; sometimes Sat 0800-1600. There are generally one or two small stores in most villages around the island which are open in the evenings and during weekends.