Jieni Taoba considers Niue not just a temporary home but her permanent refuge, alongside her Fijian roots. Originally from a village in Fiji, she arrived in Niue in 1979 for what was meant to be a one-year teaching assignment. However, her plan transformed as she became an integral part of the Niuean community.
Ms. Taoba was dispatched by the South Pacific Commission to fill in for a home economics teacher, and quickly took charge of the school’s department. Her dedication and hard work led her to become the principal of Niue High School, impacting the lives of countless students. “I’ve taught almost three-quarters of the island,” she remarked, fondly reminiscing about running into former students during her travels.
Her story mirrors that of many Pacific Islanders balancing multiple cultural identities. After graduating from the University of the South Pacific in the 1970s, she began her teaching career in Fiji, then left for Niue at the age of 22. Following nearly 30 years of service, Ms. Taoba spent several years in the United States before returning to Niue in 2016 to embrace retirement.
Although she has opportunities to move to New Zealand where her children reside, she feels a pull towards the slower, peaceful life that Niue offers. “This place has grown on me. My children visit often, and I’m glad they have a home to come back to,” she said. Her children, three daughters and a son, along with her eight grandchildren, now live in New Zealand.
When reflecting on what she misses most about Fiji, family is her primary concern. The loss of her parents and close family members has limited her visits back home. In her daily life, she tends to her home and garden, enjoys sewing, and appreciates the natural beauty surrounding her.
Ms. Taoba remains active in the Fijian community in Niue, though she has passed much of the organizational responsibilities onto younger members of the diaspora. “The Fijian community here has grown a lot since I first arrived,” she noted.
Having experienced significant changes in both Niue and Fiji, Ms. Taoba remains rooted in the values of resilience, hard work, and a deep connection to her Pacific heritage. She embraces her life on the island she now calls home, content with her quiet existence.