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Members of the Tokelauan community in Wellington, together with friends of Tokelau, gathered outside Parliament at 8am on Thursday 22 October to witness and take part in the launch of Tokelau’s first official flag. At the same time on the atoll of Fakaofo the flag was launched at a ceremony to open Tokelau’s third General Fono session.
Distinguished Tokelauan elders Mr Iuta Tinielu and Mr Sila Taupe from Porirua helped hoist the flag for the first time. Speaking in Tokelauan they offered a prayer and then spoke briefly of the significance for them and all Tokelauans of the occasion.
During the day Tokelauan communities in New Zealand will be holding their own events to launch the flag.
Until now, Tokelau, a territory of New Zealand, has used the New Zealand flag for official purposes.
Last year Tokelau’s General Fono took final decisions on the design for a distinctive Tokelauan flag, following a design competition that attracted considerable interest and entries. Royal approval to make it an official flag of the Commonwealth was received in August this year and it was presented to Tokelau’s leaders in a formal ceremony by the Governor General on September 7.
The General Fono session provides the opportunity for leaders and representatives of the three atolls to participate in the launch of the flag. It has also been introduced to a wide range of Tokelauan communities in New Zealand and Australia.
Having an official flag does not change Tokelau’s status as a territory of New Zealand, but it does help Tokelau to further develop its identity as a distinct community within the wider Realm of New Zealand.
The flag depicts a stylised Tokelauan canoe (in full sail) in yellow against a blue background. It also has the four white stars of the Southern Cross in the same proportions and size as on the New Zealand flag.
