A journey from Fiji to Niue

For Jieni Taoba, the islands have always been home, whether in the familiar embrace of her Fijian village or the quiet serenity of Niue, a place that has unexpectedly become her permanent refuge.

“I came here in 1979, on a one-year teaching secondment,” Ms Taoba says, recalling the early years of her career.

“I was supposed to stay for just a year, but things changed.”

That one-year posting stretched into a lifetime, as the Lakeba, Lau native became deeply embedded in the Niuean community.

Originally sent by the South Pacific Commission (now the Pacific Community) to replace a home economics teacher, Ms Taoba soon found herself at the helm of the school’s department.

Over time, she rose through the ranks to become the principal of Niue High School, shaping the lives of hundreds of students.

“I’ve taught almost three-quarters of the island,” she says with a laugh.

“When I go to New Zealand or even just around the island, I see so many familiar faces, all former students.”

Ms Taoba’s journey between her home country Fiji and Niue reflects not only a personal tale of adaptation but also the broader experiences of many Pacific Islanders who straddle multiple cultural identities.

After graduating from USP in the 70s, Ms Taoba spent her formative years in Fiji and started her teaching career at Laucala Bay Secondary and Nabua Secondary before leaving for Niue aged 22 years.

After nearly three decades of service in Niue, she spent several years in the United States before returning to Niue in 2016 to live out her retirement.

“I’ve had opportunities to move elsewhere to New Zealand where my children live, but something keeps me here. It’s a slower pace of life, and it’s peaceful.”

Though her roots remain in Fiji, she admits that Niue has become more than just a temporary stop.

“This place has grown on me. My children come to visit regularly, and I like knowing they have a home to come back to,” she says.

Her children, three daughters and a son all now live in New Zealand, along with her eight grandchildren.

When asked what she misses most about Fiji, her answer is simple: “Family.”

With the passing of her parents and other close family members, she finds herself less drawn back to her homeland, visiting only occasionally.

She spends her days maintaining her home and garden, occasionally sewing, and immersing herself in the natural beauty around her.

She continues to engage with the local Fijian community, although she now leaves much of the organisational work to younger members of the Fijian diaspora.

“The Fiji community here has grown a lot since I first arrived,” she says.

Despite the waves of change she has witnessed in both Niue and Fiji, Ms Taoba remains grounded in the values she grew up with resilience, hard work, and a deep connection to her Pacific roots.

Ms Taoba is content to continue her quiet life on the island she now calls home.

*Lavenia Lativerata is a Senior Journalist at MaiTV.*

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