Clark sailing to Tokelau

1.00pm - By SUE EDEN

APIA, Samoa - Tokelau and New Zealand have a special relationship and a big deal will be made of Prime Minister Helen Clark's arrival there today, says Tokelau's acting ulu (head).

Pio Tuia was in Samoa, to observe the Pacific Islands Forum meeting which Helen Clark had also been attending.

New Zealand is a member of the 16-nation grouping of Pacific countries that make up the forum and Helen Clark has been chair of the forum for the past year.

She is following up her visit to Apia with a visit to Tokelau, only the third visit by a New Zealand prime minister in the almost 80 years that Tokelau has been administered by New Zealand.

Its 1500 residents are New Zealand citizens and there are 6000 Tokelauans living in New Zealand.

Helen Clark left Apia aboard the frigate Te Kaha last night.

Last year Tokelau took the decision to explore the possibility of self-government in free association with New Zealand.

Officials are due to meet in New Zealand in September to discuss the issue further. High-level talks are planned for October and a referendum in Tokelau is expected later next year.

"If the outcome is a decision to move to self-government that would take effect from early in 2006 which would coincide with the 80th anniversary of New Zealand's formal assumption of responsibility for Tokelau," Helen Clark said.

Mr Tuia told reporters Tokelau was moving toward what it wanted but needed to do so in association with New Zealand, as administrator.

"We cannot just make our own decision and go. No. We have to continue consulting together. Discuss what is going on in Tokelau, what is needed for Tokelau. So I think it's very important for the two parties to work together," he said.

The New Zealand and Tokelau relationship was "very, very special".

"New Zealand is the administrative power over Tokelau for more than 70 years... New Zealand has done a very good job in looking after Tokelau without any fuss, without any problems."

Helen Clark is visiting the islands of Fakaofa, Nukuonu and Atafu and Mr Tuia said there would be special welcomes at each place, although it was difficult to put on a national welcome because Tokelau was so isolated.

Tokelauans would raise with Helen Clark the process for self-government.

Other options for Tokelau would be independence or integration but officials say moving toward being self-governing in free association with New Zealand is Tokelau's preferred option.

Mr Tuia said Tokelau was still considering whether it was taking the right option "because there is no need of hurrying things".

"We have to make sure we put everything in place. Economic development ought to be good, we know education ought to be good, health ought to be good, security ought to be there."

Tokelau has its own political institutions, runs its own judicial system and public services and has its own shipping and telecommunications systems.

Mr Tuia made a speech to the forum in which he said he felt like a bird among eagles but that Tokelau hoped to learn from the other Pacific nations represented at the forum on the way forward.

Helen Clark told the forum she hoped Tokelau would soon be part of the forum. She told reporters that if Tokelau elected to become self-governing in free association with New Zealand, it would apply for membership of the forum in the next two years.

Mr Tuia spoke to the forum the morning after the All Blacks' loss to Australia.

"My advice, prime minister, is that you must pick more islanders to be in the All Blacks -- and I think it is about time a Tokelauan is picked -- especially as we are very tough and hardened from playing on coral rugby fields, as you will see when we arrive in Tokelau..."

- NZPA