Pacific

New Zealand and Tokelau

Tokelau has, since 1926, been administered by New Zealand.  For the purposes of the principle of self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory.

Administration of Tokelau

The Administrator of Tokelau is a statutory position appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide support to Tokelau.  David Payton is the current Administrator.  The Office of the Administrator of Tokelau supports the Administrator and Tokelau both with policy advice and administrative support.  The Office is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington.

Signing of the Tokelau Economic Support Arrangement, November 2007

The main activities of the Office are:

• Coordinating all New Zealand government activities relating to Tokelau
• Supporting Tokelau, particularly in the areas of health; education; shipping; constitutional and legislative development; financial management; public sector management; with the involvement and recruitment of appropriate experts
• Coordinating all New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and NZAID activities for Tokelau. The Office of the Administrator is located in the Special Relations Unit which is co-located in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and NZAID.
• Contributing to Tokelau's efforts to enhance governance structures and assisting with constitutional and legislative matters
• Managing patient referrals to New Zealand and acting on behalf of the Tokelau Public Service in New Zealand
• Maintaining contact with and disseminating information to Tokelauan communities in NZ and 'friends of Tokelau' in NZ
• Maintaining dialogue with the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation and other international and regional groupings with an interest in Tokelau.

News, Issues and Events

• Tokelau's three Faipule (atoll leaders), including the incumbent Ulu o Tokelau made an official visit to New Zealand in September 2009.
• The Governor General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, presented Tokelau's first official flag to the Ulu o Tokelau, Faipule Foua Toloa on 7 September 2009.
• Report of the Administrator of Tokelau [external link to NZ Parliament Website] for the four year period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2006
• Tokelau Votes to retain status quo 16 February 2006
• Referendum does not produce a two thirds majority.. [external link] Rt Hon Helen Clark 16 February 2006
• Tokelau, NZ agree on steps towards self-determination [external Link] News Release, Hon Phil Goff,10 November 2004.  Tokelau and New Zealand reach agreement on further political evolution for the territory...
  

Speeches

• 39th Pacific Island Forum, Alofi, Niue. Statement by Faipule Pio Iosefo Tuia, Ulu o Tokelau (Titular Head of Tokelau), Tuesday 19 August 2008
• Statement by Faipule Pio Iosefo Tuia Ulu O Tokelau (Titular Head of Tokelau) to the Special Committee on the Situation With Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 23 June 2008
• Statement by the Administrator of Tokelau David Payton to the Special Committee on the Situation With Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 23 June 2008
• Statement By Kuresa Nasau Ulu O Tokelau (Titular Head Of Tokelau) to the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, 27 June 2007
• United Nations Speech, Department of Public Information, News and Media Division, New York. UN Decolonisation work 'remains unfinished' says Deputy Secretary General as Decolonisation Committee opens 2006 Session, February 2006
• United Nations Special Political and Decolonisation Committee 2006 Session, First Organisational Meeting. Statement by Rosemary Banks, New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 23 February 2006
• United Nations General Assembly Fifty-Ninth Session: Special Committee on the Situation With Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples - Question of Tokelau - Statement by Mr Neil Walter Administrator Of Tokelau, 24 June 2005

 

Travel Advice

Read our Travel Advice for Tokelau on the Safe Travel Website.

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