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Tulou! Tulou! Tulou!
Tui Tokelau e….
He tai, he tai, he tai, (May blessings come abundantly)
Honourable Chairman Toke Tufukia Talagi, Premier of Niue.
Honourable leaders of the Pacific family.
Fellow observers, heads and members of delegations, special guests, representatives of the various organizations present here today.
Acting Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat.
Heads of CROP agencies.
Please accept humble greetings and “Talofa Ni!” from the people and the elders of our tiny atolls of Tokelau. In the true spirit of the Pacific family I greet you all in the name of our Lord whom through his will we are all here today.
Mr. Chairman – I pray that you will be given all the wisdom to steer this year’s Leader’s Forum to peace, solidarity and growth for our region. On that note I also would like acknowledge the past Chairs of the Forum for their able leadership during the challenging events facing our region, especially during the last decade.
I would also like to thank the Government and the people of Niue for their warm and generous hospitality. You are showing us the true spirit and values of the Pacific. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman – Thank you for the invitation to make a statement during this Plenary Session. As you have much before you I will do my best to keep this brief.
Mr. Chairman – Several years ago when Tokelau first addressed the leaders of the Forum held in Samoa, I described Tokelau as a “small bird” learning how to fly. Today I stand before you again, proud to declare that we are still a small bird but one with a clear sense of achievement and purpose.
As you may recall, Tokelau held a second self-determination referendum from 20-24 October last year. Like the earlier one, this did not produce the two-thirds majority of the valid votes cast required by Tokelau National Assembly or General Fono to change Tokelau’s status from that of a Non-Self Governing Territory under the administration of New Zealand to the status of self governing in free association with New Zealand.
While both Referenda have been proven and recorded as most successful examples of the self-determination process, and ones that Tokelau should be proud of, they have left a bitter sweet legacy for us to live with. These referenda showed the democratic process is alive and well in Tokelau. The outcomes, however, with rejection of the recommended path as set by our traditional and decision-making institutions have brought tension into the heart of our communities. I say to you that Tokelau did not lightly embark on a quest for self-determination. It was a decision of the traditional institutions of each village and the national government which unequivocally expressed support for a self determined Tokelau. So too did 64% of our people in this second referendum. But that did not meet the level we ourselves set.
I remain committed to a Tokelau that is self-governing in name as well as in fact. I wish to see removed the pain I see through the eyes of my elders – the Council of Elders and the majority of our people who supported a self governed Tokelau. But I also fully respect the democratic right of every Tokelauan on our atolls to express their views on this fundamental matter. I look to a day when a self-governing Tokelau is able to build upon our traditional and cultural settings.
Mr. Chairman – Following the October 2007 Referendum, the General Fono agreed that the time was right for Tokelau to reflect on its needs as a vibrant and forward looking community and devote its efforts at this time to meeting the needs of the people of Tokelau. This period of reflection is certainly giving us and New Zealand plenty of opportunity to work together for the ongoing development of Tokelau.
Mr Chairman, you will hear from these words that Tokelau’s aspiration to continue to develop as a country and a people in this region is very important to us. My hope is that the wider region also sees it that way. Although we are small we are also a people of this region and we are keen to participate as a responsible member of the Pacific family. We are working towards realigning our limited resources to the needs and aspirations of our people.
The challenge, as a leader, is to unite all our by addressing common needs. Tokelau’s national vision “is to build a Tokelau that all Tokelauans would like to live in and be proud of”. This vision has enabled Tokelau to identify infrastructural needs, to develop an efficient and a reliable level of service that will benefit our people. The Government of Tokelau with the assistance of New Zealand is working to direct key resources towards priority areas identified by Tokelau.
Mr. Chairman, the relationship of Tokelau and New Zealand as a territory and administration power has been described as exemplary from the UN as far as decolonization is concerned. Tokelau is proud of its relationship with New Zealand and I would like to thank the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Honourable Helen Clark for her and her Government’s continuing support and understanding for the needs and aspirations of our people. Fakafetai lahi Helen!
In addition to the various infrastructure projects Tokelau and New Zealand are working on, I would like to highlight the Tokelau Trust Fund – an intergenerational Trust Fund. The people of Tokelau wish to thank the great support from the Government of New Zealand for this initiative. Tokelau continues to seek the assistance of Pacific leaders in lobbying further international support for the Tokelau Trust Fund. I would like to also take this opportunity to express to the Prime Minister of Australia, Honourable Kevin Rudd, our deepest thanks for his Government’s annual contribution to the Trust Fund as well as the other ways in which it supports our people
Mr. Chairman – As an observer to the Forum Tokelau watches with considerable interest the development and unfolding of the Pacific Plan and its 2009 priorities for the region. Tokelau very much shares the values and principles of the Pacific Plan and wishes to encourage the region to share resources and strengthen regional co-operation. It is equally important that regional technical agencies continue to provide effective delivery support that adds tangible value to our communities.
Mr. Chairman, Tokelau joins the efforts of small island atolls such as ours and Tuvalu to highlight the effects of global-warming and sea level rising. Tokelau sees this very issue as fundamental to its very existence. I seek your support to ensure that this issue is dealt with in the most strategic and efficient manner. Our people will be depending on you for their very future and survival. Please don’t let us down.
In ending my statement I would like to thank the Forum Island Countries for their continuing support for Tokelau as the “small bird” of the region. Through your support Tokelau hopes to make a positive and responsible contribution to the region’s development. I would also like to acknowledge the Prime Minister of the Independent State of Samoa, the Honourable Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and your Government for your continuing support to Tokelau. To all the leaders of the family, I convey Tokelau’s deepest appreciation and encouragement for building a responsible and united region. Please allow me to say a collective “fakafetai lahi” to you all.
Mr. Chairman – Let me end my statement by wishing you all in Tokelauan a fruitful deliberation and a safe journey back to your shores.
Te matagi e …
(Wind take them)
Molimoli ke oko
(Take them to their destination)
Molimoli ke oko
(Take them to their destination)
Tui Tokelau e …
(Tui Tokelau)
He tai malino
(We pray for calm seas)
He tai alofa
(We pray for love and peace)
Oooo…
Molimoli ke oko …
(Take them to their destination)
