A View from Tokelau

"Earlier in the year Cyclone Percy caused
unprecedented flooding and damage to all the
three atolls of Tokelau. Having read through
the programmes which SOPAC focus on
providing assistance I feel that Tokelau with
SOPAC’s support will be better placed to deal
and manage its geological challenges in the near
future."

Address to the SOPAC Governing Council, SOPAC 34th Session, Apia, Samoa by Faipule Kuresa Nasau, Minister for Environment & Economic Development (2005)


Capital: Apia, Samoa administrative center
Population: 1392 (2006 est.)
Land Area: Approx. 12 sq. km
Max Height above sea-level: 5 m
Rainfall: Irregular but heavy (80 mm per day)
EEZ: 290 000 sq. km
Mean temperature: 28 degrees C
GDP per Capita: $1000 (1993 est.)
Currency: NZ Dollar; Samoan tala
Language(s): Tokelauan, English
Government: Self-administering territory of New Zealand since 1925

SOPAC Membership: Admitted as Associate Member 2005



Tokelau was endorsed as an Associate Member of the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) in 2005, at the 34th SOPAC Governing Council meeting held in Apia, Samoa, the current location of the administrative centre of the New Zealand dependent.

Formerly known as the Union Islands, Tokelau is a small island group located about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand at coordinates Latitude 9 00S and Longitude 172 00 W. Explored by British commodore John Byron in 1765, Tokelau officially became part of New Zealand in 1949, although New Zealand had been administering the territory since 1925. The islands were granted limited self-government in 1996.

Tokelau has an area of approximately 12 square kilometres and comprises three small atolls, Atafu, Nukunono and Fakaofo. Each atoll consists of a number of reef-bound islets (motu) encircling a lagoon. The islets vary in size from 90 m to 6 km in length and from a few metres to 200 metres in width. The largest atoll is Nukunonu at 4.7 sq km. Fakaofo and Atafu are 4 sq km and 3.5 sq km respectively. From Atafu in the north to Fakaofo in the south, the group extends for just under 200 km. The atolls are three to five metres above sea level. The reef extends only a short distance from the shore then drops sharply into deep waters. Each of three atolls has its own administrative centre.

The 2006 estimate of population places it at just under 1400 people. Since all Tokelauan are also New Zealanders under current arrangements, people move to New Zealand when Tokelau becomes overcrowded.

The mean average temperature is 28 deg C. July is the coolest month and May the warmest. From April to November the east-southeasterly trade winds dominate climatic conditions. Rainfall is heavy but irregular. A daily fall of 80 mm or more can be expected at any time of the year. Severe tropical storms, once rare, have become more frequent in recent years. Cyclones in 1987, 1990, 1991 and 2005 caused extensive damage to houses and general infrastructure. There is some concern about the possible threat to Tokelau's long-term survival from climatic change.

Poor soil quality and rapid drainage result in low fertility except in areas where efforts have been made to improve soil composition. Coconut and pandanus are the most common plant species although other species common to central Polynesia are found in smaller numbers. Staple food crops include bananas, papaya, taro and breadfruit. Migratory seabirds are common visitors to these atolls. Otherwise rats and lizards are common along with domesticated pigs and poultry. Mosquitoes infest the undergrowth.

Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $4 million annually - to maintain public services, with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.

Political developments were underway and gained momentum in 2005 for self determination and the Government of New Zealand and UNDP assisted Tokelau in drafting a Constitution for a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, similar to the status of Niue. A UN-sponsored referendum on self-governance, in February 2006, failed to produce the two-thirds majority vote required for changing the current political status.