Tokelau : a journey towards self-determination

Abstract

Tokelau, is one of the smallest and least accessible island countries in the world. It is made up of three low-lying atolls with a land mass of 12 sq km and a population of about 1500. Tokelau has been administered by New Zealand since 1926 and was formally brought under New Zealand sovereignty and incorporated as part of New Zealand in 1949. In February 2006, almost 80 years to the day since New Zealand's colonial relationship with Tokelau began. Tokelauans were gien the opportunity to decide their political future in a referendum that would take place over three successive days on each of the three tiny atolls