WELLINGTON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand air force has had to make an emergency delivery of flour to Niue after the tiny Pacific island ran out of the staple ingredient, the New Zealand Defence Force said Thursday.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft delivered more than a tonne of flour to Niue after New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade learned that flour shipments would not arrive in Niue for another fortnight.
"We were told the local bakers had not been able to bake bread for at least a week because of a flour shortage. So they were very pleased when we arrived with an emergency supply," aircraft captain Flight Lieutenant Alex Tredrea said in a statement.
Flour supplies in Niue had been short since late May due to shipping cancellations and delays.
The shortage occurred just before the start of the peak tourist season, which runs from June to September.
Niue was annexed to New Zealand in 1901, but in 1974 the island became self-governing in free association with New Zealand.
