Niutao

Niutao is a reef island in Tuvalu's northwestern region. It is one of Tuvalu's nine districts (islands). It is also one of three districts with only one island, excluding the three islets inside the confined lagoon. Niutao has a population of 582 people (2017 census).

Niutaoans think their forefathers arrived in Samoa in the 12th or 13th centuries. Tonga warriors were defeated in a fight on the reef of Niutao known as Tga A Kaupapa in the 15th century. Tongan forces raided Niutao again later in the 15th century, but were repulsed. A third invasion of Tongan warriors occurred in the late 16th century, followed by a fourth when the Tongans were defeated at Tekamaitoga.

On two instances in the 17th century, warriors from the Kiribati islands invaded. These fights took place on the reef, with the I-Kiribati fighting at Tuteatua and the Niutaoan warriors fighting at Agaia; the sacred site known as Teititapalua marks the location of these engagements. Fighting broke out in Niutao in the late 17th century between rival chiefs, with adherents of the vanquished leaders being pushed from the island and permitted to settle on Nanumea.

Location: northern of Tuvalu