2006 Tokelauan self-determination referendum

A self-determination referendum was held in Tokelau between 11 and 15 February 2006, supervised by the United Nations,[1] The proposal would have changed Tokelau's status from an unincorporated New Zealand territory to a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, akin to the Cook Islands and Niue. However, although 60% of voters voted in favour, a two-thirds majority was required for the proposal to succeed.[2]

2006 Tokelauan self-determination referendum
11–15 February 2006 (2006-02-11 – 2006-02-15)
Do you agree that Tokelau become a self-governing state in Free Association with New Zealand on the basis of the Constitution and as in the draft Treaty notified to Tokelau?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 349 60.07%
No 232 39.93%
Valid votes 581 99.49%
Invalid or blank votes 3 0.51%
Total votes 584 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 615 94.96%

The majority of Tokelauans reside in New Zealand, and were ineligible to vote in the referendum, in line with standard practice in United Nations mandated votes on self-determination. However concerns among this community may have influenced those who were eligible to vote, thereby contributing to the referendum's failure.[3]

The passage of the referendum would have removed Tokelau from the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories, as the Cook Islands and Niue were removed from this list when they were granted self-governance in 1965 and 1974 respectively.

Voting schedule

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Date Location
11 February Apia, Samoa (Special overseas voting)
13 February Atafu atoll
14 February Nukunonu atoll
15 February Fakaofo atoll

Results

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Do you agree that Tokelau become a self-governing state in Free Association with New Zealand on the basis of the Constitution and as in the draft Treaty notified to Tokelau?

ChoiceVotes%
For34960.07
Against23239.93
Total581100.00
Valid votes58199.49
Invalid/blank votes30.51
Total votes584100.00
Registered voters/turnout61594.96

Aftermath

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Outgoing Tokelau Ulu (head of government) Pio Tuia suggested in February 2006 that since the vote failed to pass by such a small margin, the issue was likely to be revisited in a few years' time.[4] In June 2006, his successor Kolouei O'Brien announced that the Fono had agreed to hold a similar referendum again in late 2007 or early 2008;[5] in the end, it was decided to hold a second referendum on self-determination in October 2007.[6]

An unintended result of the United Nations' recent efforts to promote decolonization in Tokelau has been the re-emergence of a Tokelauan claim to Swains Island, which is legally part of American Samoa, hitherto a somewhat dormant issue.

References

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  1. ^ Tait, Maggie (10 February 2006). "New Zealand's last colony to vote on future". NZHerald.
  2. ^ "Tokelau referendum does not produce a two thirds majority in favour of a change of status". New Zealand Government. 16 February 2006. Archived from the original on 14 May 2006.
  3. ^ "Tokelau leaders confident of stronger backing for next referendum on self determination". Radio New Zealand International. 13 March 2007.
  4. ^ "Outgoing Tokelau Boss Keen For New Referendum". TMCnet. 16 February 2006.
  5. ^ "Tokelau plans another referendum on self-determination". Radio New Zealand International. 5 June 2006.
  6. ^ "Decolonization United Nations success story, but task not yet complete, Fourth Committee told as debate begins" (Press release). United Nations. 2 October 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2007.