Tokelauan communities in New Zealand had wanted confirmation they would keep their New Zealand citizenship before supporting moves towards self-government, Tokelau's Acting Ulu (head), Pio Tuia, said today.
New Zealand and Tokelau yesterday agreed to steps that will take the tiny group of atolls in the Pacific towards self government in
free association with New Zealand.
The move will bring it in line with Niue and the Cook Islands, former dependent territories which now hold that status.
Tokelau is New Zealand's furthest outpost, the last of New Zealand's dependent territories.
Foreign Minister Phil Goff yesterday said the move would not greatly affect Tokelau's day to day running.
"Tokelau already runs itself in most respects. It has its own legislative body, executive council and judicial system, runs its own budget and manages all its public services," he said in a statement.
"Tokelauans will still be entitled to New Zealand citizenship and will continue to receive our economic and technical support."
Tokelaun officials have been in New Zealand to talk to the Government about the process towards self-government in free association.
They met yesterday with Mr Goff and Prime Minister Helen Clark.
During their visit, they have also met with five Tokelaun communities living here.
Mr Tuia said Tokelau wanted to continue its warm relationship with New Zealand. For 70 years it had been in the "good hands" of New Zealand.
But Tokelauns in New Zealand had been "worried" when talk began about moving towards self-government in free association with New Zealand, he said.
They had been living in New Zealand for a long time, enjoying the benefits of being citizens.
"Throughout the consultations with communities, we have stated clearly to them New Zealand had already stated that citizenship would be retained as it is, and they were very glad to know that."
After hearing that, they had "fully supported" the idea of the change in status, Mr Tuia said.
He believed Tokelauans living in New Zealand and other parts of the world such as Australia and Hawaii should be given the opportunity to vote in a referendum held on the issue.
"I think we need to pass the paper to every Tokelauan living in the world, if they are interested."
Tokelau's ruling council had a mandate from the people living there to press ahead but needed to know what people living away from the islands wanted.
Depending on funding, Tokelauan officials would go to talk to communities elsewhere -- such as in Australia -- to get their views, Kolouei O'Brien, the head of Fakaofo atoll, told reporters today.
They will meet the Tokelauan community in Dunedin tomorrow before returning to Wellington to hold talks with officials about health, education, shipping and other issues.
Mr Goff yesterday said work would begin on drawing up a draft treaty text which would then be looked at by the United Nations.
Tokelau has been listed on the United Nations de-colonisation programme, Mr Tuia said.
New Zealand and Tokelau officials also yesterday established an international trust fund for Tokelau.
The fund, which already had pledged contributions of $7.5 million, would be allowed to build up to the point where it could provide an independent source of income.
New Zealand's administrator for Tokelau, Neil Walter, today said the idea was for the fund to be opened up to regional partners, aid donors, and the international community.
Tokelau would "be looking to the United Nations to run a pledging conference and try and build up the capital to the point where it generates enough revenue to assist Tokelau for its budgetary or development needs but in a way that will maintain the capital value of the trust fund".
Mr O'Brien said the fund was meant to be something Tokelau could fall back on in the long-term, say in 15 to 20 years time.
Mr Goff said Tokelau's new status would allow it to receive more aid and assistance from other countries.
The international community had regarded Tokelau as New Zealand's responsibility, Mr Walter said.
Australia had recently donated A$4m ($4.48m) to Niue's trust fund and it was hoped it would come up with something comparable for Tokelau as it moved towards self-government, he said.
About 1500 people live on Tokelau. Another 5000 Tokelauans live in New Zealand.
- NZPA
Tokelauan communities in New Zealand had wanted confirmation they would keep their New Zealand citizenship before supporting moves towards self-government, Tokelau's Acting Ulu (head), Pio Tuia, said today.
New Zealand and Tokelau yesterday agreed to steps that will take the tiny group of atolls in the Pacific towards self government in
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