new golden hind sails north: The New Golden Hind leaves Auckland on a 1300 mile voyage to Raoul and Niue Islands, carrying mail, provisions and livestock. On the islands, sub tropical farming experiments are carried out, with various fruits grown in abundance, along with weather monitoring and research. Niue has been within NZ boundaries since 1901, Alofi being the centre for the Department of Island Territories of NZ. The Niue economy depends on the export of copra, bananas and baskets.