Jieni Taoba has always considered the islands her home, whether in her Fijian village or in Niue, where she has unexpectedly found her permanent refuge. She recalls arriving in Niue in 1979 for what was meant to be a one-year teaching secondment, a plan that quickly changed.
That initial one-year assignment turned into a lifelong commitment as the native of Lakeba, Lau became an integral part of the Niuean community. Originally sent by the South Pacific Commission to fill a vacancy for a home economics teacher, Ms. Taoba soon took charge of the school’s department and eventually became the principal of Niue High School, influencing the lives of hundreds of students.
“I’ve taught almost three-quarters of the island,” she laughs, reflecting on her vast impact. While traveling to New Zealand or even within Niue, she frequently encounters familiar faces of her former students.
Ms. Taoba’s journey between Fiji and Niue highlights her personal adaptation, mirroring the experiences of many Pacific Islanders who navigate multiple cultural identities. After graduating from the University of the South Pacific in the 1970s, she began her teaching career in Fiji at Laucala Bay Secondary and Nabua Secondary before moving to Niue at 22 years old.
Following nearly thirty years of dedication in Niue, she spent some time in the United States before returning to Niue in 2016 to embrace her retirement. Despite opportunities to relocate to New Zealand, where her children reside, she feels a strong connection to Niue’s slower, peaceful pace of life.
While her heart remains in Fiji, she acknowledges that Niue has become her true home. “This place has grown on me,” she says, noting that her children frequently visit and appreciate having a home to return to.
Her children, three daughters and a son, live in New Zealand along with her eight grandchildren. When she reflects on what she misses most about Fiji, she cites “family” as her top longing. With the passing of her parents and other close relatives, her ties to Fiji have weakened, leading to infrequent visits.
In Niue, she enjoys maintaining her home and garden, sewing occasionally, and soaking in the island’s natural beauty. Though she remains engaged with the local Fijian community, she has stepped back from many organizational roles, allowing younger members of the diaspora to take the lead.
“The Fiji community here has grown a lot since I first arrived,” she observes. Through the changes she has witnessed in both Niue and Fiji, Ms. Taoba stays committed to the values instilled in her: resilience, hard work, and a strong connection to her Pacific roots.
She is content to continue her tranquil life on the island she now proudly calls home.