Winds of change in Tokelau

Villagers perform a ceremonial farewell dance for UN and New Zealand delegates on Atafu. Picture / Richard Simpson

A New Zealand flag flies in a sea breeze opposite the home of Tokelau political leader Pio Iosefa Tuia who, judging by a rousing speech on Nukunonu atoll, hopes to soon see it replaced by a Tokelauan national flag.

Tuia, who is the faipule (village head) of Nukunonu, welcomed a delegation from New Zealand and the United Nations at an ocean-front meeting house and said it was time for Tokelauan people to stand on their own.

"People have the right to live their own freedom," he said.

"They want to stand tall as much as they can so maybe today we can wipe away the colonial shadow."

About 160 Nukunonu residents were registered to vote yesterday on whether the dependent territory should cut ties with New Zealand to become a self-governing nation, and full participation is expected..

The proposal has been supported by draft treaty and constitution documents which would lock in New Zealand support for the three under-resourced atolls that make up Tokelau.

The territory is presently headed by Pio Tuia, but the position known as Ulu o Tokelau rotates among the atoll leaders.

Tomorrow it will be taken over by the Fakaofo faipule Kolouei O'Brien who may become the first prime minister equivalent of Tokelau.

Pio Tuia said the Nukunonu council of elders was pleased to see the referendum take place on the atoll.

While the outcome of the referendum was not yet known, there seemed to be support for change.

"The elders have advised to take a look at this thing. You never know the benefits it will bring," he said.

"We will work together to find the truth of this searching. I hope we reach the right resolution for Tokelau."

The faipule said he had feelings of joy and contentment.

"This morning we should be celebrating this new dawn. Let's laugh together, let's dance together."

He praised the work of the New Zealand administrators and wondered if Tokelauans could have reached such a point on their own.

Tokelau would stand tall in its freedom, he said. Ioane Lasalo was among the first to cast his vote and it was in favour of self governance. Tokelauan-born and educated in Auckland in the 1980s, Mr Lasalo said it would be good for his country to remove its colonial status.

That would allow Tokelau to access more overseas countries for support, he said.

Mr Lasalo, a weather forecaster, was picking strong winds of change.

"This village will be pro [change] because everyone is agreed."

Another villager, Sam Aloisio, said he would also vote "yes" as he believed a change would be for the better.

However, another local said she had doubts the referendum would deliver the results Tokelauans hoped for.

The woman did not want to give her name but said Tokelauans were set in their ways and were not receptive to change.

While the atoll leaders had a strong influence on their people, not everyone was ready to vote in a way that was prescribed to them.

She repeated concerns that New Zealand might renege on its promise to support them in the future. She also believed it was not the right time for Tokelau to become self-governing.

"I don't think we have the capacity."

The woman, who was educated in New Zealand, also believed Tokelauans had only been given one side of the story during consultations.