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| Tokelau | |||||
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| It is known as New Zealand territory of Tokelau. Capital: Fakaofo (officially None, each atoll has its own administrative center). Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD). | |||||
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bf.1600 Fakaofo (the senior polity) founded; Nukunonu and
Atafu later become independent. 21 Jun 1765 Atafu discovered by Commodore John Byron on the Dolphin, and named Duke of York Island. 06 Jun 1791 Nukunonu discovered by Capt. Edward Edwards on HMS Pandora and is named Duke of Clarence Island. 28 Jan 1841 Fakaofo visited by the U.S. Exploration Expedition and is named Bowditch Island. 13 Aug 1877 Under British jurisdiction by British Western Pacific order. 21 Jun 1889 Formal British protectorate (Union Islands or Union Group) proclaimed by Commander Oldham aboard the HMS Egeria. 13 Aug 1877 - 1926 Part of the British Western Pacific Territories. 29 Feb 1916 Union Group (Tokelau) becomes part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Kiribati and Tuvalu). 1925 Separated from Gilbert and Ellice Islands; administered by the Governor-general of New Zealand. 11 Feb 1926 Governor-general's powers delegated to the Administrator (later High commissioner) of Western Samoa. 1946 Renamed Tokelau Islands. 01 Jan 1949 Incorporated into New Zealand. 09 Dec 1976 Renamed Tokelau. 02 Dec 1980 U.S. recognizes Atafu, Fafaofu, and Nukunono atolls as part of Tokelau (effective 3 Sep 1983). 16 Feb 2006 Referendum on self-government status in free association with New Zealand fails; 349 yes to 232 short of the the 2/3 required for approval. 24 Oct 2007 Referendum on self-government status in free association with New Zealand fails; 446 yes to 246; which is 16 the votes short of the 2/3 required. |
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| Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand consisting of three coral atolls in the South Pacific: Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo. These atolls lie between 171° and 173° W longitude and 8° and 10° S latitude, approximately mid-way between Hawaii and New Zealand and about 500 km north of Samoa. Formerly known as the Union Islands, the name 'Tokelau Islands' was adopted in 1946 and then shortened to 'Tokelau' in 1976. Tokelau can be taken to refer more immediately to some concept of nationhood, arguably infusing increased meaning to the draft 2006 independence constitution of Tokelau which, controversially or not, defines Swains Island (Olohega), currently part of American Samoa, as part of the national territory. The islands are Atafu, at one time known as the Duke of York Group, Nukunonu, also the Duke of Clarence Group, and Fakaofo, once Bowditch Island. The roughly 1500 hardy inhabitants of Tokelau, unofficially known as Tokelauans, are thought to have settled the islands more than a thousand years ago- thus, they are generically recognized as being Polynesians. 'Tokelau' is Polynesian for 'North Wind'. | |||||
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According to archaeological
evidence, the islands were settled about 1000 years ago. Several hundred
years of oral history remain, showing a belief in Polynesian mythology and
the worship of the god Tui Tokelau. Tokelauan society was ruled by clans. Each atoll was independent until the 18th century, when Fakaofo conquered Atafu and Nukunonu and united the three atolls. Inhabitants lived a subsistence lifestyle, relying on fish and coconuts for sustenance. Vice-Admiral John Byron of England found Atafu on his 1765 voyage but saw no signs of inhabitants. In 1791, Captain Edward Edwards found Nukunonu while searching for mutineers from the HMS Bounty. The US whaling ship General Jackson reached the island of Fakaofo in 1835. Catholic and Protestant missionaries from Samoa sailed to the islands in the mid-1800's, the former converting most inhabitants of Nukunonu and the latter converting most of the inhabitants of Atafu. Both groups of missionaries worked on Fakaofo, resulting in a mix of Catholics and Protestants on this atoll. In 1889, the islands were claimed by Britain. They became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands (Kiribati and Tuvalu) in 1916, which was then renamed the Union Group. Though Tokelauans are Polynesian, some have European names, a result of visits by whalers and European explorers in the late 19th century. Tokelau culture is Polynesian culture. Sharing of resources according to need and respect for elders are integral characteristics of this culture. Age typically determines the level of employment; the older Tokelauans holding managerial positions. |
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In 1925, the islands came under
the administration of New Zealand. They became a New Zealand territory in
1948. As a territory, Tokelau has had an Administrator appointed by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs; however, in 2004, the Administrator delegated his powers to the three Village Councils. Since 1996, Tokelau has also had a legislative body, called the General Fono council, which deals with national issues. In addition, every three years, a Village Head is elected. Daily activities in the villages are managed by elected mayors. New Zealand statutory laws do not apply to Tokelau except when they are expressly extended to the territory. New Zealand contributes development assistance to Tokelau, which amounts to most of the territory's budget. In 2006, and 2007, Tokelauans held referenda to decide whether to move to self government in free association with New Zealand. In both referenda, the citizens failed to achieve the required two thirds majority. Tokelau is a full or associate member of many international organizations, including South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the World Health Organization, and UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). |
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Tokelau has no harbors or ports
nor does it have an airport.The best way for tourists and travelers to get
to Tokelau is from Apia, Samoa, by ship, which runs every two weeks. Today,
more Tokelauans live outside Tokelau than on the islands, mostly in New
Zealand. According to the Central Intelligence Agency's list of countries by
GDP, Tokelau has the smallest economy of any country in the world, with an
annual purchasing power of about US $1,000 (€674) per capita. Most food and drink is shipped to the islands, as little can be grown on these coral atolls. There is little native fauna on the atolls. Lizards are common. Migratory seabirds visit Tokelau frequently. The geographic future of Tokelau depends on the height of the ocean. No significant land is more than two meters above high water of ordinary tides. This means Tokelau is particularly vulnerable to any possible sea level rises caused by global warming. |
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| New Zealand Dollar is used in Tokelau, but a few commemorative coins are produced from time to time, since 1978. | |||||
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| Countries / Territories | |||||
| Chiefa Coins | |||||
