Jieni Taoba has always considered the islands her home, whether in her Fijian village or the tranquil surroundings of Niue, which has unexpectedly become her permanent refuge.
“I came here in 1979 on a one-year teaching secondment,” she recalls, reflecting on the beginnings of her career. “I was supposed to stay for just a year, but things changed.”
What started as a one-year posting evolved into a lifelong commitment as the native of Lakeba in Lau became deeply integrated into the Niuean community. Initially sent by the South Pacific Commission to replace a home economics teacher, Taoba eventually took charge of the school’s department.
Over the years, she progressed to become the principal of Niue High School, significantly impacting the lives of hundreds of students. “I’ve taught almost three-quarters of the island,” she laughs. “When I visit New Zealand or even just travel around Niue, I see many familiar faces, all former students.”
Taoba’s journey between Fiji and Niue encapsulates not just a personal narrative of adaptation but also the collective 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.
Following nearly three decades of service in Niue, she spent several years in the United States. She returned to Niue in 2016 for her retirement. “I’ve had opportunities to move elsewhere to New Zealand where my children live, but something keeps me here. It’s a slower pace of life, and it’s peaceful.”
Although her roots are in Fiji, Taoba considers Niue 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 return to,” she shares. Her children, three daughters and a son, now reside in New Zealand, along with her eight grandchildren.
When asked about what she misses most about Fiji, her response is straightforward: “Family.” With the loss of her parents and other close relatives, she feels less inclined to return home, visiting only occasionally.
Taoba spends her days caring for her home and garden, occasionally sewing, and exploring the natural beauty around her. She remains connected to the local Fijian community, although she entrusts 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 many changes she has witnessed in both Niue and Fiji, Taoba is grounded in the values of resilience, hard work, and a strong connection to her Pacific roots. She is happy to continue her tranquil life on the island she now proudly calls home.