At the conclusion of the flag raising ceremony marking 46 years of self-government the first ever Niue national awards were awarded to four recipients who have served Niue with distinction in their respective fields.
Former Premier Hon. Mititaiagimene Young Vivian (NDSC) was bestowed the Niue Distinguished Cross for his longstanding service to the government and the people of Niue.
Hon. Young Vivian is one of the architects of the Niue constitution and the only surviving member of the trio led by the late Sir Robert Rex and the late Terry Chapman, appeared before the United Nations Committee of 24 or the Committee on De-colonisation to present the draft Niue constitution.
Former Premier Vivian is one of the longest-serving politicians serving more than 30 years in the Fono Ekepule until 2017.
He was the member of parliament for the village of Hakupu.
Hon.Young Vivian also served as a Cabinet Minister in his more than 30 years in the Fono Ekepule. He became Premier of Niue from 2002 until 2008.
He is also one of the longest serving head deacons and is still the head deacon of the Ekalesia Hakupu Atua.
Earlier in his career he was the first Niuean to lead a regional organisation when he was the Secretary General of what was then called the South Pacific Commission(SPC) now the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.
Yesterday Hon. Young Vivian was awarded Niue’s highest honour of the Niue Distinguished Service Cross for his services to the government and to the people of Niue.