Jieni Taoba has always considered the islands her home, whether in her Fijian village or the quiet calm of Niue, which has unexpectedly become her permanent sanctuary.
“I came here in 1979 for a one-year teaching secondment,” Ms. Taoba recalls, reflecting on her early career days. “I was supposed to stay for just a year, but things changed.”
That initial year turned into a lifetime commitment as the Lakeba native from Lau became deeply woven into the fabric of the Niuean community. Originally sent by the South Pacific Commission to replace a home economics teacher, Ms. Taoba quickly took charge of the school’s department.
She eventually climbed the ranks to become the principal of Niue High School, influencing the lives of countless students. “I’ve taught almost three-quarters of the island,” she chuckles. “Whenever I visit New Zealand or even travel around the island, I encounter many familiar faces—former students.”
Her journey between Fiji and Niue signifies not just her personal adaptation but also mirrors the experiences of many Pacific Islanders who navigate multiple cultural identities. After completing her studies at the University of the South Pacific in the 1970s, she began her teaching career in Fiji before relocating to Niue at the age of 22.
Following nearly thirty years of service in Niue, she spent several years in the United States before returning in 2016 to embrace retirement. “I’ve had chances to move to New Zealand where my children reside, but something keeps me here. It’s a slower pace of life and very peaceful.”
While her roots lie in Fiji, Ms. Taoba acknowledges that Niue has evolved into more than just a temporary stop. “This place has grown on me. My children visit regularly, and I like knowing they have a home to come back to,” she shares.
Her three daughters and a son now live in New Zealand, along with her eight grandchildren. When asked what she misses most about Fiji, she succinctly replies, “Family.” With the loss of her parents and other close relatives, she feels less inclined to return to her homeland, visiting only rarely.
Ms. Taoba fills her days maintaining her home and garden, sewing occasionally, and enjoying the natural beauty surrounding her. She continues to engage with the local Fijian community but has started to delegate much of the organizational work to younger members of the Fijian diaspora. “The Fijian community here has expanded significantly since I first arrived,” she notes.
Despite the numerous changes she has observed in both Niue and Fiji, Ms. Taoba remains anchored in the values of resilience, hard work, and a profound connection to her Pacific roots. She is content to lead her quiet life on the island she now proudly calls home.