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BACKGROUND

This policy document provides a framework to guide sustainable management and development of Niue's coast. Lessons learnt from previous disasters left Niue with huge economic, social and environmental costs; justifying the need for a policy to guide development and in turn safeguard the people of Niue and their livelihood from disastrous events. This policy supports the achievement of national development goals directed by the Niue Integrated Strategic Plan (NISP) 2003-2008, the Heta Recovery Plan 2005, the Taoga Niue Strategic Action Plan, the Niue Private Sector Development Strategic Plan 2007-2010 and other sector policy and plans such as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Coastal Management Plan, the Waste Management Plan, the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP) and the National Climate Change Adaptation Programme.

This policy explicitly addresses the coastal area as a system that has natural and human aspects and components that are inter-related and dependent on one another. The diversity and productivity of coastal ecosystems is interwoven with the safety and growth of livelihoods and development for the people of Niue.