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Full text of Information Bulletin - PDF (493kb)
The Bulletin begins by explaining the Tokelau International Trust Fund and Tokelau’s case for Global Support.
It contains factual information on Tokelau including how to travel to Tokelau, political status, religion, climate, food and accommodation.
The Bulletin describes Tokelau’s history of settlement by Polynesians, the arrival of Europeans, colonial rule by the British and administration by New Zealand plus the recent move by Tokelau to its present political system ‘the modern house of Tokelau’.
Economic Development and the Environment are given a special mention as Tokelau has committed itself to become more sustainable. A strategic plan is presently being drawn up and some potential is seen in capitalising on Tokelau’s EEZ and tourism opportunities. At present fisheries, handicrafts, stamps and coins gain some revenue for Tokelau.
Health and Education are described in some detail and the challenges Tokelau faces in having an effective health and education system across 3 atolls.
Each atoll has a basic hospital and each atoll a doctor. Two dentists serve the 3 atolls. Serious medical cases are transferred to Samoa or New Zealand for treatment. Diet and lifestyle diseases are becoming increasingly important health issues for Tokelau.
Tokelau has compulsory and free primary and secondary schooling for children up to the age of 16. Scholarships are awarded to those who wish to continue their education. Much work has recently gone into developing a school curriculum that is directly relevant to the needs of the people. The University of the South Pacific has a centre on the atoll of Atafu.
Important to Tokelau, because of its isolation, are communication links with the outside world. Tokelau set up its Telecommunications Corporation (Teletok) in 1996 and inaugurated an international voice and fax telecommunications service the following year. In 2004 Teletok introduced direct Internet services to each village. FM radio began operating from each of the atolls in February 2002. A wide-ranging review of Tokelau’s ICT systems was carried out in early 2005, with decisions on recommendations expected in the third quarter of 2005.
Tokelau is served by a fortnightly shipping service, which takes 24 to 28 hours to reach the atolls. The cargo and passenger capacity of the present vessel is inadequate and a shipping review on Tokelau’s long term requirements was recently completed which should result in the purchase of a new vessel. Better transportation will help economic development.
Tokelau is presently completing a diesel generator system to supply electricity 24 hours on each of the atolls. But Tokelau has a long-term goal to become self sufficient in its energy needs by using sustainable energy supplies.
There is a section on the well-respected Tokelauan artist Faumanu Kirifi, who paints scenes of his home atoll, Atafu, in oils.
The Bulletin concludes with a description of New Zealand’s Tokelau communities and the impressions of the author of the Bulletin on his visit to Tokelau.
