Referendum focus of Tokelau role

Tokelau may be in the glorious sun-drenched Pacific but the 500km boat trip from Samoa can be rough. Picture / Angela Gregory

Tokelau's new administrator, career diplomat David Payton, heads to the group of atolls next month and one of his first discussions will be about a referendum that could see him out of a job.

The Government signed off approval for Mr Payton's appointment at the start of the month but it has yet to be announced.

In February the tiny and remote group of atolls - Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo - voted for Tokelau to remain a New Zealand colony instead of opting for self-governance in free association with New Zealand.

A two-thirds majority needed for self-governance was just missed, with 349 voting in favour and 232 against out of a valid ballot total of 581 (there were 615 people registered to vote out of a population of up to 1600).

Another referendum will be held in November next year and will be a priority for talks when Mr Payton visits.

"That will be an issue for discussion," he confirmed.

"I will be wanting to hear from them how they would like to prepare for it and what they've got particularly in mind and on that basis learning from them and discussing it with them."

Mr Payton, 54, recently returned from a posting as ambassador to the Netherlands which also included responsibility for New Zealand's relations with Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1975 and the following year dipped his toe in Pacific relations working in the aid division looking after Niue.

"I dealt with Niue a great deal, so I got into the Pacific and had quite a lot of exposure there," Mr Payton said.

Niue and the Cook Islands were New Zealand colonies until becoming self-governing in free association with New Zealand.

Mr Payton's first overseas posting was in 1977-79 when the High Commission opened in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

"Those were the two early parts of my diplomatic career that related to the Pacific."

He has worked in a wide variety of diplomatic roles, including with the New Zealand mission to the United Nations, and as deputy director of the ministry's Pacific division he has kept a handle on regional issues.

"I feel I've got my feet firmly into the Pacific through my career," he said.

But Tokelau will be a new experience despite his having met its leaders and read about it extensively.

"My first real experience of Tokelau will be early next month when I travel up to the atolls. I will be going up for my first visit as administrator and that will be an opportunity to get a first-hand experience of what the realities are."

Previous administrator Neil Walter never enjoyed the trip - the 500km boat trip from Samoa can be rough - and Mr Payton is looking forward to Tokelau getting approval for a new ship in the near future.

He will sail with the new Ulu (chief) of Tokelau, Kolouei O'Brien of Fakaofo, after the Pacific Forum in Fiji.

"I'm a person who's well established on land. I'll look forward to getting on to each atoll and I look forward to the time when Tokelau has a shipping service which provides the level of certainty and comfort that all those who travel on it would feel they deserve."

- NZPA