The 1300 inhabitants of Vanikoro consist of two different populations, who tend to live separately.
The Melanesian majority, about 800 people, are the descendants of the original population of Vanikoro.
A minority of about 500 individuals are of Polynesian descent; for the last few centuries they have established settlements on the southern coast of Banie, even though they still preserve close links with Tikopia, an island lying 200 kilometres (124 miles) eastwards, which they identify as their origin.

The three languages spoken by the Melanesian population of Vanikoro are all Oceanic, of the Temotu subgroup: 
Teanu or Buma (800 speakers)
Lovono or Vano (4 speakers)
Tanema (1 speaker)
The Tikopian settlers speak a Polynesian language, Tikopian or fakatikopia.
The 1300 inhabitants of Vanikoro consist of two different populations, who tend to live separately. The Melanesian majority, about 800 people, are the descendants of the original population of Vanikoro. A minority of about 500 individuals are of Polynesian descent; for the last few centuries they have established settlements on the southern coast of Banie, even though they still preserve close links with Tikopia, an island lying 200 kilometres (124 miles) eastwards, which they identify as their origin.
The three languages spoken by the Melanesian population of Vanikoro are all Oceanic, of the Temotu subgroup: 
Teanu or Buma (800 speakers)
Lovono or Vano (4 speakers)
Tanema (1 speaker)
The Tikopian settlers speak a Polynesian language, Tikopian or fakatikopia.
Vanikoro