Takai Commission Holiday
Friday, January 2, 2026
Niue celebrates a unique holiday each 2 January called Takai Commission Holiday. During this celebration, everyone decks out their cars, trucks, or other vehicles to look as bright and festive as possible and then drives them all over the island to show off. In 2027, Takai Commission Holiday falls on Saturday 2 January. The holiday will be on Sunday 2 January in 2028. “Takai” comes from a Polynesian word meaning “to go around”, which explains a lot as to the vehicular parading! The whole first week of January is also Prayer Week in Niue, which means there are a lot of special church services with a focus on prayer during Takai Commission Holiday. Additionally, there are sports events, parades, song and dance events, and more. But the motorcade is easily the main event. Each village has its own group of vehicles, and there are 14 villages. Each group drives down the same 40-mile-long stretch of road, throwing candy to watching children as they pass by. This is a major holiday in Niue, and many businesses and government offices will shut down for the day.
History
Niue celebrates a unique holiday each 2 January called Takai Commission Holiday. The whole first week of January is also Prayer Week in Niue, which means there are a lot of special church services with a focus on prayer during Takai Commission Holiday. Additionally, there are sports events, parades, song and dance events, and more. But the motorcade is easily the main event
How It's Celebrated
Niue celebrates a unique holiday each 2 January called Takai Commission Holiday. During this celebration, everyone decks out their cars, trucks, or other vehicles to look as bright and festive as possible and then drives them all over the island to show off. In 2027, Takai Commission Holiday falls o