WHY "NIU" ?
Our concept
The NIU (Nature Inspires Us) Shack is a unique space designed for rejuvenation in a natural environment.
Through the play on words between “NIU” and “new,” we aim to shift the consumerist behaviors of our modern society.
In French Polynesia, poor consumption habits manifest through plastic pollution that devastates our islands, as well as the rising rates of overweight and obesity, leading to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and other vascular issues.
In this effort, we also contribute to preserving what makes our land beautiful in the eyes of the world.
Rather than seeing ourselves as a guesthouse, the NIU Shack is a refuge: a starting point for a new way of life where we consume the resources of our environment more mindfully. It inspires a better lifestyle—for you and for the planet.
"Niu" means "foundation" or "base" in Tahitian, while "shack" represents a refuge, a small cabin.
It is no coincidence that the term “NIU” signifies “the foundation” in Tahitian, as our way of life returns to the essentials : we use what nature provides to live healthily and sustainably.
The NIU Family
EVA BOURGEOIS
At the heart of the "NIU Shack" concept is Eva, a young entrepreneur from Tahiti
who is on a mission to reconnect people with authenticity.
After returning to her fenua in 2017, following three years of studying marketing in France, she quickly found a job at a communication agency as an Event project assistant. Later, she applied for a position as a marketing assistant at a maritime transport company.
In 2019, she decided to move in with her mother in Raiatea, in the family valley of Tepuhapa, to establish a small guesthouse that reflects their values and passions.
Together, they inspire people to draw closer to nature and adopt a healthier, more authentic lifestyle.
In three years, her worldview has transformed: she finds fulfillment in sharing the lifestyle she leads with her mother and is determined to create a community of people who want to live a “NIU Life” alongside her.
Eva's mother, Vicky, is an inspiring woman, both for her life journey and her vitality as she works hard in her fa'apu.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, she underwent treatment for several years and gradually changed her lifestyle, starting with her diet: she eliminated meat,
dairy products, and fish, opting for a vegan diet (with the exception of honey!).
Her life took a radical turn when she decided to return to Raiatea, to the family valley of Tepuhapa, in 2010. Longing for the life she shared with her parents, she built her fare and incorporated natural resources into her daily life: her home is powered by solar energy and river water. Her garden serves as both her pantry and her pharmacy.
Since her home became a guesthouse, Vicky has dedicated herself to sharing her culinary and botanical knowledge with the Polynesians, helping them reconnect with the land and their health.
VICTORINE TIHOPU