Tokelauans have different views on whether their group of atolls in the Pacific will sink as a result of rising oceans and climate change.
None of the atolls rises more than 5m above sea level and the sea frequently washes over land between buildings on the inhabited atolls, where around 1500 people live.
Tokelau's acting Ulu, or head, Pio Tuia, said that after more than 100 years "Tokelau is still there".
If the sea level rose "the reef will grow up and fill the space", he said.
If the water level rose higher, the reef would again grow to fill that gap, he said.
But Kolouei O'Brien, head of the atoll of Fakaofo, has a contrary view.
"Preventative action" was needed, he said, and sea walls needed to be built higher.
"We notice in Tokelau that some parts of Tokelau have never been covered in water."
Only at certain times of the year would water cover some parts of the islands.
"But nowadays, every high tide, those parts are covered in water. It's a sign that the water's coming up," he said.
Keli Kalolo, the acting head of another atoll, Atafu, said Tokelauans were looking for scientific evidence to back claims of climate change and rising sea levels.
Its highly religious people were also looking to God to stop the atolls from disappearing, he said.
"If Tokelau is covered with water, New Zealand is going to be our second home," said Mr Tuia.
- NZPA
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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