Niuatoputapu

Niuatoputapu is a high island in the island nation of Tonga, Pacific Ocean, its highest point being at 157 m. Its name means sacred island. Older European names for the island are Traitors island or Keppel island.

Niuatoputapu is located in the north of the country, 300 kilometres (190 miles) away from Vavaʻu near the border with Sāmoa. Its closest neighbours are the small island of Tafahi, only 9 km (5.6 mi) to the north-northeast, and the island of Niuafo'ou. The three islands together form the administrative division of the Niuas. There is an airport in Niuatoputapu, Mataʻaho airport, which is designated to accept international flights. The population of Niuatoputapu was 934 in 2006. The inhabitants formerly spoke the Niuatoputapu language, which has now been extinct for centuries, having been replaced with Tongan. Nevertheless, Sāmoan, ʻUvean and Futunan elements can be noticed.

The central top of Niuatoputapu, just beside Vaipoa, is a hill of only 157 m (515 ft) in height. It is the eroded remnant of a large volcano, which erupted about 3 million years ago. The island is almost entirely surrounded by a large reef, uplifted and largely covered with volcanic ash, which has yielded it a fertile soil.

Niuatoputapu consists primarily of three villages: Hihifo (meaning "west" in Tongan), Vaipoa, and Falehau. Hihifo is the largest village, and, as its name suggests, lies in the west of the island. It contains the majority of the local governmental facilities, including the post office, telecommunications, police station and a high school (there are primary schools in all 3 villages). Vaipoa lies in the middle of the island. Falehau, which is east of Vaipoa, fronts on the island's only harbor, on the northwest coast.

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