Students at Atafu School. NZAID funding enables Tokelau to meet budget demands for services such as education and health.
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Tokelau
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Snapshot
Tokelau is New Zealand's last remaining dependent territory. In October 2003, Tokelau's General Fono voted to formally explore the option of 'self-governance in free association with New Zealand'.
Located 500 kilometres north of Samoa, Tokelau is an isolated territory accessible only by boat from Samoa. Its three atolls (Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo) have a total land area of 12 square kilometres and are each separated by some 60 kilometres of open ocean. There are around 1,600 inhabitants.
Tokelau is dependent on New Zealand assistance, which makes up some 80 percent of its budget. However, Tokelau seeks to become more self-reliant, especially through economic development (particularly through fisheries and tourism development).
NZAID priorities
New Zealand has a special relationship with Tokelau. Support to Tokelau is provided in accordance with New Zealand's constitutional obligations outlined in the 2003 Joint Statement of the Principles of Partnership between New Zealand and Tokelau (Principles of Partnership).
The Administrator of Tokelau, based at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), manages New Zealand's relationship with Tokelau.
Economic development
The main area of NZAID's work in Tokelau is by way of economic assistance. From July 2003, most of NZAID's bilateral assistance for Tokelau is transferred directly to the Tokelau budget. Annual funding from NZAID enables Tokelau to meet the demands of its recurrent budget for services including transport, education and health.
Administrative assistance
In 2003, NZAID and the New Zealand government committed to working in partnership with Tokelau, as detailed in the Principles of Partnership agreement. This agreement also outlines the Administrative Assistance scheme, where New Zealand government departments supplement the limited resources of the Tokelau Public Services (which may include any area of government activity including specialist areas such as health, education and economic development).
NZAID on the ground
The Tokelau International Trust Fund, established in 2004, seeks to provide Tokelau with an independent source of revenue. It now stands at just over $54 million. New Zealand has contributed around $36 million to the fund and regular contributions are also made by Tokelau and Australia. The Fund will continue to grow for some years before Tokelau begins to benefit from it.
NZAID's budget support to Tokelau includes study awards, which enable Tokelauan residents to undertake secondary or tertiary study in New Zealand and also funds a small number of Volunteer Service Abroad teachers in Tokelau.
Shipping project
Tokelau is one of the most remote places in the world. With no air strips, access is only by sea. It relies solely on shipping for transporting people and cargo. The atolls have been served by the ageing and modest MV Tokelau for a number of years, supplemented by charter vessels. New Zealand and Tokelau have been working on a new shipping service that will be safer and have greater cargo and passenger capacity and accommodation. It is envisioned that the new service will begin by late 2011.
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