Getting to the Resort/Apartments

Scenic Matavai Resort & Matavai Apartments will transfer you and your luggage to and from the airport in our complimentary Airport Shuttle. If you’ve booked a rental car, you can also arrange for it to be collected straight from the Airport.

Travelling around Niue

Niue is bigger than you might think! At approximately 64km to do a full loop, a car is best way to get around.

Renting a Car

There are several car rental companies on the island where you can hire small, medium or large cars. For your convenience the rental car company will pick up and drop your car off for you at the Scenic Matavai Resort. There are a limited number of vehicles on island so we strongly recommend you pre-book your vehicle during peak season (NZ Winter). The Resort is happy to assist you with booking your car rental and payment can be made through the resort. You will also need to get a Niuean Drivers Licence from the Niue Police Station – find out more.

Hiring an e-bike

Niue also offers e-bike rental which is a great eco-friendly way to get around the island. Our friends at Niue Blue (which are located right next door to Scenic Matavai Resort) have an e-Bike rental service. Find out cycling distances around the island.

Please note: Niue does not have any public transport, taxi or Uber service.

Duty free

You can purchase duty free either in NZ, or in Niue at the Bond Store (located next to Swanson Supermarket which is near the airport).

Money

Niue uses NZ currency and has a KiwiBank, though no ATM’s. Most businesses take eft-pos and debit cards issued by New Zealand banks are widely accepted, but we recommend bringing a small amount of cash with you for shopping at local markets and show days. If you are travelling from any country other than NZ, some machines will not take overseas credit cards so it is recommended you check with your financial institution before you leave. Scenic Matavai Resort accepts cash, credit cards (American Express, Visa, and Mastercard) and debit cards (eft-pos).

Personal items / Medical

We advise bringing sun hats and reef-safe sun block, insect repellent, and any pharmacy medications you typically require. Niue does not have a pharmacy/chemist – all medication must be arranged by seeing a doctor at the hospital. If you’re planning on snorkelling or exploring Niue’s many swimming spots we also recommend you bring reef shoes to protect your feet from coral and other sharp rocks.

Phones

Niue has Telecom Niue. Vodafone and NZ Telecom global roaming don’t work here. You will need to purchase a sim card from Telecom Niue to be able to use your phone (or use WiFi only).

Internet/WiFi

Scenic Matavai Resort has WiFi throughout the Resort which is free to guests staying at the resort or the Matavai Apartments & Villa. The speed is suitable for web-browsing, social media and video calls. For media streaming we recommend media is downloaded prior to viewing to reduce buffering.

WiFi is available in most areas of the island. To use this, visitor vouchers are available to purchase from Kaniu Native Broadband for $25 (5GB – 15 days).

Login is accessible at any of the Kaniu access points around the island. Follow the instructions on the back of the voucher.

Food

You can bring in all food except honey (Niue is a protected bee sanctuary and is one of the few places in the world free from CCD). There are a range of small grocery stores and one supermarket (think well supplied provincial Four Square in NZ) on the island where you can purchase most items. Please note – Scenic Matavai Resort guest rooms come with a small fridge, a kettle but do not include cooking facilities, if you’re after cooking facilities we recommend staying at Matavai Apartments & Villa which have self-contained rooms).

Clothing / Footwear

There are many great walking tracks, most leading to the ocean so bringing a good pair of walking shoes is an absolute must. Niue is surrounded by a coral reef shelf so most swimming spots require the use of reef shoes. Year round it is worth bringing a light raincoat. Niuean temperatures are tropical all year round with a higher humidity/rainfall from December to April. Evenings cool down slightly in winter so a light sweater or jacket is recommended.

Activities

It is strongly recommended that you pre-book any fishing, diving, snorkelling or dolphin/whale watching trips before arriving in Niue as these book out during peak seasons. Other tours and activities can be booked on arrival. You can hire snorkelling gear on the island, though it is limited so if you have the space you may choose to bring your own. The Resort can provide you with beach towels which you are welcome to take on your snorkelling/swimming excursions around the island.

Scenic Matavai Resort recommends Niue Blue for Diving, Snorkelling and Whale Watching excursions. They also offer gear and equipment rental and are conveniently located right next to the Resort.

Markets

The local markets run on an ad-hoc basis. The Scenic Matavai Resort team will be able to advise you of what’s on during your stay. Be prepared to get an early start as the good markets are open at dawn.