Jieni Taoba has always considered the islands her home, whether in her Fijian village or the tranquil Niue, which has unexpectedly become her permanent sanctuary. “I arrived here in 1979 for a one-year teaching secondment,” she recalls from the early days of her career. “I was meant to stay for just a year, but life took a different turn.”
What began as a one-year assignment transformed into a lifelong commitment as the Lakeba, Lau native became integrated into the Niuean community. Initially sent by the South Pacific Commission to fill a position for a home economics teacher, Ms. Taoba quickly took on greater responsibilities, ultimately becoming the principal of Niue High School and influencing the education of countless students. “I’ve taught nearly three-quarters of the island,” she shares with a smile. “Every time I visit New Zealand or even just travel around the island, I encounter so many familiar faces—former students.”
Her journey between Fiji and Niue illustrates a personal narrative of adjustment, reflecting the broader experiences of many Pacific Islanders navigating multiple cultural identities. After graduating from the University of the South Pacific in the 1970s, she began her teaching career in Fiji before moving to Niue at the age of 22.
After nearly thirty years of dedicated service in Niue, she spent some time in the United States before returning to the island in 2016 to enjoy her retirement. “I’ve had chances to relocate to New Zealand where my children live, but something keeps me here. It’s a more relaxed lifestyle, and it’s peaceful,” she explains. Although her roots remain in Fiji, she acknowledges that Niue has become more than just a temporary haven. “This place has grown on me. My children visit frequently, and I cherish knowing they have a home to return to,” she states.
Her children—three daughters and a son—now reside in New Zealand along with her eight grandchildren. When asked what she misses most about Fiji, her response is straightforward: “Family.” With the loss of her parents and close relatives, she finds less reason to travel back and only visits occasionally.
Ms. Taoba spends her days caring for her home and garden, sewing, and enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds her. She remains connected to the local Fijian community, although she now entrusts much of the organizational tasks to the younger members of the Fijian diaspora. “The Fijian community here has expanded significantly since my arrival,” she notes.
Despite the numerous changes she has observed in Niue and Fiji, Ms. Taoba remains anchored in the values she was raised with—resilience, hard work, and a profound connection to her Pacific heritage. She is content to continue her serene life on the island she now proudly calls home.