Not far from the old center of the village of Alofi, where the main government offices, several churches, hotels, and restaurants are located, is based on the main shrine of the island, the grave of Niukai Peniamin.

It is believed that the first missionary on the island was Niumanga, who lived with his wife in the village of Alofi. His main adherent was a young man, Niukai Peniamina, who went with Nyumanga to Samoa, where they became the servants of Dr. Turner, a European preacher.

He taught the islanders to read and write, after that, they continued their education, completing a studying at the school of the London Missionary Society in Samoa.

In 1846, Niukai Peniamina returned to Niue Island. But his returning was complicated. The aborigines did not want to accept the former tribesman. Only on the fifth attempt, the young man landed on the island. After that, for a long time, the locals protected them, because they accepted a new faith, and decided to support the missionary.

They noticed only good in him not just because he preached rather interestingly, but also because he taught the aborigines to read and write, and took care about the health and treatment of residents, using his knowledge. 

The missionary’s life was interesting and decent until a strange occurrence happened. Married Niukai Peniamina was accused of defamation with another woman. The inhabitants of the island had different opinions on the problem. Some considered that as a usual situation because the local traditions allowed to have many wives. Others, accepting a new religion, thought about it as a sin. As a result, the council of the islanders made a hard decision: Niukai Peniamina was expelled from the island on a canoe. The missionary got to Samoa and died there soon, in 1874. His only wish was to be buried on the island of Niue, where passed the main part of his life.