The director of Niue's department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries says the island's residents will get the visual benefit of having elephants there in quarantine.
Auckland Zoo has confirmed work is continuing to import two elephants from an orphanage in Sri Lanka and if the deal is successful the earliest they will arrive on Niue is November.
If the deal falls through the zoo will get elephants from another country at a later stage but they will still be quarantined for three months on Niue.
Brendon Pasisi says although people won't be able to get close to the animals they will be able to look at them from a distance.
"It's not only the opportunity to assist Auckland Zoo in this case but you know we have a large proportion of our population that enjoy the facilities in Auckland at the zoo and so it's a significant contribution I think by being able to help out."
Brendon Pasisi says the zoo will pay all the associated costs.
