Jieni Taoba considers both Fiji and Niue as her homes, having found a lasting refuge on the latter island since arriving for a one-year teaching secondment in 1979. Initially sent by the South Pacific Commission to replace a home economics teacher, her brief stay turned into a lifelong commitment to the Niuean community.
Ms. Taoba advanced from a teaching role to become the principal of Niue High School, influencing countless students during her tenure. “I’ve taught almost three-quarters of the island,” she quips, noting the many familiar faces she encounters while traveling in New Zealand or around Niue.
Her journey reflects the experiences of many Pacific Islanders navigating dual cultural identities. After earning her degree from 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 three decades of service in Niue, she spent some time in the United States before returning in 2016 to embrace retirement.
Despite opportunities to move to New Zealand, where her children reside, Ms. Taoba feels a strong connection to Niue. “It’s a slower pace of life, and it’s peaceful,” she explains. Her three daughters and son, along with eight grandchildren, visit often, reinforcing her sense of belonging on the island.
While she misses her family in Fiji, having lost her parents and close relatives, she primarily visits on rare occasions. Ms. Taoba spends her time nurturing her home and garden and engaging with the local Fijian community, though she now allows younger members to take the lead in organization.
“The Fiji community here has grown a lot since I first arrived,” she observes. Throughout her time, Ms. Taoba has maintained the values of resilience, hard work, and a deep-rooted connection to her Pacific heritage. Content in her quieter life on the island, she now regards Niue as her true home.