Ministry Statements & Speeches:
The Chair of this Special Committee – Your Excellency Ambassador McGuire, Vice-Chairpersons, the Rapporteur, Distinguished Members of this Special Committee, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
On behalf of New Zealand, I would like to say malo ni and greetings to you all.
Madam Chair
It is my pleasure and honour to address the Committee today on the Question of Tokelau.
I have had the privilege of being the Administrator of Tokelau for a little over a year now and am both proud and humbled to stand before you all and speak to three things:
- the strength of the partnership between Tokelau and New Zealand;
- New Zealand’s support for Tokelau as it charts its governance journey; and
- the aspiration that we share.
As I stand here, alongside the Ulu, I can tell you that our relationship is in good heart. Tokelau is at the forefront of New Zealand’s efforts to reset its relationships with other Pacific countries, moving from a donor and recipient relationship, to genuine partnerships underpinned by our shared values.
Some time ago, New Zealand acknowledged the need for the Administrator to spend longer periods of time on the atolls.
I have made the journey to Tokelau on five separate occasions in the last twelve months and have three further trips planned in the next few months.
Leaders from Tokelau visited New Zealand as full Guests of Government in September 2018 and the Ulu stood in solidarity with us at the National Remembrance Service in March 2019 following the terror attack in Christchurch.
Spending more time together has enabled us to build deeper trust and understanding. The shape of our special relationship is guided and determined by the people of Tokelau, as are questions of governance and self-determination.
It is my role to provide support and guidance to Tokelau in a way that facilitates meaningful and enduring progress to ensure that Tokelau is best placed to realise its vision and aspirations and provide a better quality of life for the people of Tokelau.
Madam Chair
New Zealand has consistently sought to devolve its administrative powers to Tokelau and support the development of its own governance institutions.
As you may have heard previously, a separate court system was established in 1986, public service responsibilities were transferred in 1993 and most of the Administrator’s powers were delegated to the village councils in 2004, having previously been delegated to the General Fono a decade earlier. The village councils have delegated their authority in national matters to the General Fono.
These developments meant that by the 2000s Tokelau had attained a substantial degree of self-government and was ready to hold a referendum on becoming self-governing in free association with New Zealand. The vote was held in February 2006 but did not obtain the two-thirds majority required for a change of status, as did a second vote held in 2007. The threshold of two-thirds was chosen to preserve unity within Tokelau, by ensuring that sufficient support for the result was found across all three atolls.
Current arrangements reflect Tokelau’s unique culture, history, geography and circumstances. Governance arrangements will continue to evolve over time to reflect Tokelau’s experiences, needs and preferences.
Tokelau is turning its mind to future governance models. It is New Zealand’s role to support Tokelau to develop a model that it considers to be fit for purpose. The model will recognise and reflect fundamental aspects of Tokelau’s faith, culture and identity, while drawing upon aspects of governance models used elsewhere which it considers will serve it well.
There are two additional factors regarding governance that warrant mention:
Firstly, the growing sense of unity between the three atolls – Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu - is an important element in Tokelau’s governance journey which must be nurtured.
Secondly, the women of Tokelau have an important role to play. The Fatupaepae – the women’s organisation in each village - already play a vital and important role in their communities. We consider every endeavour – small or large – to encourage and amplify the voice of Tokelauan women to be worthwhile. Their contributions will serve to strengthen and enhance Tokelau’s leadership and governance at a village and at a national level.
New Zealand’s recently expanded development assistance to Tokelau will see some NZ$86 million utilised over three years to advance Tokelau. This broad programme includes initiatives for strengthening the governance and management of Tokelau’s public services, finances and infrastructure assets. This work includes technical assistance with a view to building knowledge and experience within Tokelau’s public service which will mean Tokelau is well equipped for the future.
While the important work of developing Tokelau’s capacity for, confidence in and model for self-governance gears up under this Ulu, we continue to work in partnership to deliver on our shared aspiration; delivering a better quality of life for the people of Tokelau on the atolls.
Madam Chair
While the geography, culture and language of Tokelau is unique in this world, there are two things that people the world over prize – their health and quality education for their children. And Tokelau is no different in this regard.
An important priority for our development programme therefore is assisting the Government of Tokelau to improve the quality of Tokelau’s core public services, including health and education services.
Education
Each village in Tokelau has a school which caters for all children and young people. In 2013, the New Zealand Education Review Office found that “significant and urgent action” was needed to improve the quality of education in Tokelau.
Since then, New Zealand has contracted professional learning and development support for each school and support to the Tokelau Department of Education to build its capability to lead this work and other improvements to education services.
A follow-up review in 2018 found that there had been improvements in early childhood and primary education. However, secondary education requires increased focus and further work. New Zealand is enthusiastic about the Tokelau Education Summit which will be held in August, and further support to ensure that quality education helps the youth of Tokelau to achieve their potential.
Health
Each village in Tokelau has a small hospital. One atoll is completing a new hospital. Currently each village has a doctor and nurses who deliver primary care. Most secondary and tertiary care is provided in Samoa and New Zealand.
At Tokelau’s request, New Zealand commissioned an independent review of clinical health services and patient referrals. The review is nearing completion and the team that undertook this important work will return to Tokelau to share their findings and recommendations very soon. It is our hope that this report will enable Tokelau to identify opportunities to strengthen health services on the atolls and mechanisms to improve the patient referral system.
Before concluding, it is important to address two other issues of fundamental importance to Tokelau.
Connectivity
The new inter-atoll vessel creates opportunities for people to travel between atolls to receive more specialised health services.
For isolated communities, connectivity is a lifeline. We are pleased to share that increased internet connectivity is on track to be delivered in quarter four of 2021. New Zealand and Tokelau are contributing NZ$22.2m and NZ$7m to this project respectively. The cable will bring benefits for health, education and other public services too.
Madam Chair
Climate Change
While Tokelau’s isolation protects its people from some challenges that other communities face, climate change is a present and real challenge for Tokelau.
We have a shared interest in addressing this challenge. New Zealand is committed to supporting Tokelau’s voice on the international stage, including its attendance at regional and international fora alongside New Zealand representatives.
In her speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September of last year, our Prime Minister said that rising sea levels present the single biggest threat to our region. She acknowledged that small places, like Tokelau, who have contributed the least to global climate change, will suffer the full force of a warming planet. New Zealand recognises the urgent need for the international community to enhance action on climate change that keeps the 1.5 degree temperature limit and climate resilience within reach.
New Zealand supports Tokelau’s efforts to adapt to the changes that the atolls are already experiencing. The National Strategy for Enhancing the Resilience of Tokelau to Climate Change and Related Hazards has a strong focus on integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in village decision making. New Zealand has increased technical assistance to the Taupulega and public servants to incorporate climate change and disaster resilience in village planning.
An international firm is currently developing a coastal hazard reduction plan and will help to representatives of Tokelau’s villages to identify and assess options for mitigating these hazards.
I thank you for the opportunity to address you today. In the language of te reo Māori, tena koutou and, in Tokelauan, fakafetai.