TOKELAU
* New Zealand's last remaining dependent territory
* Polynesian population of between 1500 and 1600
* Comprised of three atolls each separated by about 60km of ocean
* Total land area of 12sq km
* Lies 500km north of Samoa
* New Zealand provides 80 per cent of its budget
* 2005/06 aid allocation of $9.5 million
Timeline
1877 - Tokelau, then known as the Union Islands, becomes a British protectorate
1916 - annexed to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony
1926 - administration passes to New Zealand
1946 - listed as a non self- governing territory by the United Nations
1948 - Tokelau Act makes it a territory of New Zealand
2003 - general fono votes unanimously to explore option of self government
2006 - voting takes place, decision to be announced next week
