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Mr Chairman,
May I first offer you my congratulations on assuming the Chair of the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee and extend New Zealand’s full support to you and to members of your bureau for the work ahead.
Today I would like to speak about Tokelau. Since Tokelau was first placed on the United Nations "list" in 1946, New Zealand and the United Nations have worked closely together to support the territory's move towards greater self reliance. We and Tokelau have been pleased to keep the Committee well informed of developments in Tokelau and are grateful for the opportunity to update the Committee again today.
As we reported to the C24 in February, Tokelau undertook a referendum on self government in free association with New Zealand between 11-15 February this year. New Zealand and Tokelau were delighted that the Special Committee was able to send a high level delegation to observe this act of self determination, together with representatives from Department of Political Affairs and the Electoral Affairs Division. Turnout for the referendum was remarkable at an overall figure of 95%. Within this figure, 100% of registered voters in Tokelau participated in the vote and nearly 95% of those temporarily overseas.
As the committee is aware, in the event, votes in favour fell just short of the two-thirds majority threshold required, with 60% of the voters supporting self government in free association with New Zealand.
While disappointed with the outcome of the referendum, Tokelau’s political leadership remains unanimously committed to the objective of self government - at both village and national level. In the months since the referendum, Tokelau's Council for Ongoing Government has conducted a series of meetings with the three Village Councils and the General Fono, to consider the referendum result and to decide on Tokelau's future course of action. Tokelau has asked the New Zealand Government to keep the current "package" of the draft constitution and draft treaty on the table and New Zealand has agreed to this request.
Mr Chairman,
As delegations may recall the Special Committee's emissary, Ambassador Robert Aisi expressed support for this approach, stressing that while there will not be a change of status for Tokelau in the immediate future, it should not be ruled out for all time. New Zealand considers this first referendum should indeed be seen as a step along the path rather than a destination – “an act” rather than “the act” of self determination.
To this end, Tokelau has recently indicated that it intends to schedule a second referendum for November 2007. New Zealand will continue to work closely with the people of Tokelau as they travel this path. We very much appreciate the support of the Committee in this. We thank the Chairman of the Special Committee on Decolonisation for his characterisation of New Zealand’s engagement with Tokelau as “exemplary”, and also the distinguished representative of the RIO Group and Cuba for their positive references to New Zealand’s co-operation with the committee as an administering power.
In closing let me once again thank all members of the Committee for their continued interest in Tokelau and assure you of New Zealand's intention to keep the Committee fully informed as we move forward.
Thank you Mr Chairman.
