Young Vivian

Mititaiagimene Young Vivian CNZM NDSC (born 12 November 1935)[1] is a Niuean politician and diplomat, who served as Premier of Niue twice, the first time from December 1992 to March 1993 following the death of Sir Robert Rex, and the second from 2002 to 2008.

[7] He was re-elected at the 1975 election and reappointed as Minister for Education, Agriculture, and Economic Development, but lost the Tourism portfolio to Frank Lui.

[14] In an early speech, he denounced the decolonisation process as being forced on Niue, and attacked New Zealand for its lack of assistance following independence.

[16] As leader of the opposition, he led a confidence vote against Rex in 1989, which while unsuccessful, saw three government MP's cross the floor.

[18][19] Less than six months later Lakatani was sacked from Cabinet after attempting to oust Rex, and Vivian was appointed as Minister of Finance, Education, and Administration in his place.

[26] The deadlock was finally broken when Vivian agreed that the NPP would support the government's budget in an effort to avoid an early election.

[41] While Vivian was still in Auckland, Niue was struck by Cyclone Heta[42][43] which destroyed the capital Alofi and the island's only hospital.

[49][50] His 2005 budget cut spending,[51] and in December 2005 a leaked government report revealed that Niue was virtually bankrupt.

[54] New Zealand provided funds for a bailout,[55] but Vivian's government cut public services and imposed user-pays charges to balance the books.

[59] He was again re-elected unopposed to Parliament in the 2008 elections,[60] but lost the Premiership to Toke Talagi, who won fourteen votes to Vivian's five, and one abstaining.

Vivian (centre), after his investiture as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by the former governor-general, Sir Anand Satyanand (left), at Government House, Auckland , on 13 April 2023