Committee to decide on Tokelau referendum

Tokelau’s head of government has confirmed that a special committee has been put together to decide whether or not a self-governance referendum will be held in 2026.

The island nation, made up of three atolls located 500 km north of Sāmoa, has been a New Zealand territory since 1925. This status may be set to change if the committee finds a majority of Tokelauans support another self-government referendum.

The Ulu-o-Tokelau or head of the government, Alapite Tavite said the committee will hold consultations around the villages.

“It is critical for everyone to understand before they make a decision. I know we have had a couple of referendums in the past and it is critical for everyone again to have another good understanding of what we’re going to go through in that process.

“I know it’ll not only involve the people in Tokelau, but we are also going to include the Tokelauans outside, including New Zealand to see what's their view, but at the end of the day it’ll be the people in Tokelau that’ll actually make their choice.”

The last referendum for Tokelau was in 2007, but the 64 per cent vote in favour of self determination was just below the 66 per cent threshold needed for a two-thirds majority.

What options are there?

For Tokelau, the three options would be: full independence (which Sāmoa achieved in 1962); free association with New Zealand such as Niue and the Cook Islands; or becoming part of New Zealand, like the Chatham Islands.

Tavite said the current status can’t continue, and there should be a referendum.

“We cannot remain at the status where we are. I can see we have a lot of opportunities if we do make some changes with our current status. There are so many opportunities but again we need more information and see what are the advantages and disadvantages of having another choice and what is that option going to be?”

Tokelau is still classed as a New Zealand “colony”, something the United Nations is keen to change.

Future challenges

Tokelau continues to battle with climate change with the island’s highest point above sea level at five metres and Tavite says the island is facing new weather patterns.

“In Tokelau, we have experienced the impact of climate change. I have mentioned in my statements yesterday the erosion of our coastal areas. It is evident to us the regular changes of the weather.”

Earlier this week, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters made comments which downplayed human impact on climate change and said there’s no need to panic.

Tavite said otherwise and expressed his gratitude towards United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for supporting the Pacific’s concerns on climate change within the region.

“I think we should be panicking at the moment, especially from our side because our land mass is very small and now we see that it’s been washed away by sea.

“What’s our future going to be like? It has been mentioned a few times here in the last two days and I think it is something we need to seriously consider. How are we going to work together to prevent us from getting worse.”

On the bright side, Tavite confirmed a committee tasked with their airfield project is in its final stages before presenting to New Zealand Parliament for approval with talks of a plane service being put in place.

“Probably by the end of this year then that document will actually reach the New Zealand Parliament… We haven’t got a specific company that we serve but I think the discussion that we had, the capacity is around a 12 seat type of plane but I haven’t got any confirmation to see exactly which company and how the detailed information on that for now.”

Watch the full interview here