[1] The first version of the seal was created in 1974 when Niue gained self-governing status and joined into free association with New Zealand.

[1] However, this design had already been used on the obverse of non-circulating commemorative coins produced for Niue by the New Zealand Mint at least as early as 2019, as a substitute for the effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The outer circle surrounds a green inner circle of hiapo designs, representing the fonua (land), within which are stylised designs of a tree, representing life and tagata Niue (the people of Niue).

[1][9] The 1974 design of the Seal of Niue had at its centre the coat of arms of New Zealand, which is a shield divided into quarters.

The shield is supported by a woman dressed in a white robe carrying the flag of New Zealand, representing the population that descended from European immigrants (mainly British), and a Māori warrior armed with a taiaha, representing the indigenous population.