Transcript
Perched on the edge of a cliff, Niue's Fale Fono, or parliament, is precariously placed and already weathered by cyclones.
A cabinet report recently tabled at Niue's assembly says the building is unstable, unsafe and vulnerable to natural disasters.
And, according to the same report, by next year parliament will be housed in a new set of steel-enforced buildings.
Although Niue is leading the project, New Zealand has put forward funding of nearly $US3.3 million.
But it's been criticised by opposition MP Terry Coe, who says the process has been rushed and ad hoc.
"They didn't tender it, they just gave it to a person after having a discussion. And to me, by the law, the law says that they have to tender it."
Last week, Mr Coe filed a motion in Niue's High Court seeking an injunction on the new Fale Fono building until a proper tendering takes place.
He says the government breached Niue laws which stipulate government contracts over $US6,550 must be publicly tendered.
In Niue, the tenders must also be published in the media at least twice before closing, but Mr Coe says that didn't happen.
"I just hope the court will say yes, it's not done properly and they should do it. That's all I want out of it, that they go through the process of tendering it, the normal process of advertising over the radio and letting people cost it."
According to the project report, there was a "selective procurement process" involving just three suppliers.
Niue's premier and director of infrastructure didn't respond to requests for comment.
Adding to problems, Mr Coe says initial work by the contractor has been stalled by landowner opposition.
"They've stopped because there's a land dispute on it now. There's about I think two or three families are disputing the land, so that's one hold up."
Mr Coe's claims contradict the project report, which said work wouldn't start until June, with a deadline of just over a year.
A company named by Mr Coe as the contractor, Auckland-based DTB Construction, couldn't be reached for comment.
A spokesperson for New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said the project was the responsibility of Niue.
Last year, a review by New Zealand's auditor general found donor-funded projects in Niue were behind schedule and over budget.
