Alofi is thecapital of the island nation ofNiue. With a population of 610 in 2022,[4] Alofi is thesecond-smallest national capital by population (afterNgerulmud, capital ofPalau). It consists of two villages: Alofi North and Alofi South. They collectively serve as the capital, but of the two, Alofi South hosts more government buildings, as many were moved to the southern part afterCyclone Heta.
In 1922 the first hospital in Niue opened in Alofi.[6][7]
In January 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical stormCyclone Heta, which killed two people and did extensive damage to the entire island. Many of Alofi's buildings were destroyed, including the hospital. Government buildings were shifted to a less exposed site 3 km (≈ 2 mi) inland from the west coast,[8] named Fonuakula, after the storm.[9] This site is within the village boundaries of Alofi South.
It is located at the centre ofAlofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in thecoral reef that surrounds Niue. The bay stretches for 30% of the island's length (about seven kilometres) fromHalagigie Point in the south to Makapu Point in the north.
Alofi features atropical rainforest climate under theKöppen climate classification, with no discernibledry season. The city has a noticeably drier stretch from June through September. However, all of these months average more than 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, the limit for a dry season month. Average temperatures vary slightly throughout the course of the year in Alofi hovering at around 27 °C (81 °F), during the warmest month (February) and at around 23 °C (73 °F) during the coolest months (July and August).
The island's main seaport isSir Roberts Wharf. It is close to the centre of Alofi, within 200 metres of the capital's post office and just to the north of the Chamber of Commerce building. It is a small wharf, capable—due to the island's topography—of only handling smaller flat-bottomed boats. Larger cargo vessels and fishing boats moor near the reef, and barges are used to offload cargo. Major strengthening, extension work, and renovations to the wharf were commissioned in 2020, after cyclone damage earlier in the year.[13][additional citation(s) needed]
