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Tokelau

Tokelau. Trey Lane GE 597. Tokelau. Atafu. Nukunonu. Fakaofo. Physical Geography. Group of 3 atolls Atafu , Nukunonu , and Fakaofo Located in the South Pacific Ocean Located roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. 9 degrees S, 172 degrees W

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Tokelau

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  1. Tokelau Trey Lane GE 597

  2. Tokelau

  3. Atafu

  4. Nukunonu

  5. Fakaofo

  6. Physical Geography • Group of 3 atolls • Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo • Located in the South Pacific Ocean • Located roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. • 9 degrees S, 172 degrees W • Highest point above sea level: 5 meters • Combined land area: 12 square miles • 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington D.C. • The climate is tropical and is moderated by seasonal trade winds.

  7. Population • Estimated at 1,353 as of July 2013 • Negative population growth rate. • Age structure • 0-14: 42% • 15-64: 53% • 65 and older: 5% • No urban population

  8. Culture • Homogeneous population • Polynesian descent • Religions • Roman Catholic • 28% • Congregational Christian Church • 70% • Religion by atoll • Atafu – 100% Congregational Christian • Nukunonu – 100% Roman Catholic • Fakaofo – predominately Congregational Christian • Languages • Tokelauan (Polynesian language) • English

  9. Economics • Subsistence level agriculture • Coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas, pigs, poultry, goats, and fish • Industry • Copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods, stamps, coins, and fishing • Top imports • Food, building materials, and fuel • Top Exports • Stamps, copra, and handicrafts

  10. Handicrafts

  11. Stamps

  12. Economics 2 • Heavy reliance on aid from New Zealand • 10 million dollars per year • International Trust Fund • 32 million dollars • Total labor force of 440 people

  13. Political History • First human settlement roughly 1000 years ago • Traditional village government • 1877-1889 • Great Britain • Western Pacific High Commission • Protection of British citizens • Kidnapping Act of 1872 • Pacific Islanders Protection Act of 1875 • Little impact on local village governance

  14. British Protectorate • 1889-1926 • Tokelau becomes a British protectorate • 1916 – Became a part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony • Tokelau accepted British sovereignty in exchange for the current Tokelauan system of local law and land systems.

  15. New Zealand Administration • 1926-1949 • New Zealand takes over administration of Tokelau • Little change to current system during this period • 1949 • Tokelau becomes a part of New Zealand • Tokelau Act of 1948 • 1955-1972 • Tokelau administered by Commissioner of Western Samoa • 1972 • Tokelau administered under the Minister of Maori and Island Affairs • 1974 • Tokelau transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs • 1982 • Tokelauan Amendment Act • Recognition of General Fono as a legislative body

  16. Current Political Situation • Head of State • Queen Elizabeth II • Administrator • Jonathan Kings • Head of Government • SalesioLui

  17. Current Political System • Tokelau is considered a non-self-governing territory by New Zealand. • Tokelau does however largely govern itself through traditional village leadership. • Elections held every 3 years • 3 main governing bodies in Tokelau • General Fono • Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau • Council of Elders • There are no opposition parties in Tokelau.

  18. General Fono • Parliament of Tokelau • Meets 3 times a year • 3 to 4 days per meeting • Meets on the atoll of that year’s Head of Government • Head of Government is selected from this body • Rotates between the atolls each year • Current “Leader” of the atoll in rotation • Consists of representatives of each atoll • 20 members • Based on population

  19. Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau • Legislative body when the General Fono is not in session • Acts as a cabinet to the Head of Government • Composed of certain governmental members • 3 Faipule (Leaders) • 3 Pulenuku (Village Mayors) • Based in Apia, Somoa

  20. Council of Elders • Tapulega in Tokelauan • Grants power to the General Fono • Local governing body of each atoll • Responsible for: • Teachers • Medical staff • Traditional workforce

  21. International Relations • Swains Island • Part of American Samoa • 1979 • New Zealand confirms American sovereignty • Circular coral atoll • As of 2010, 17 total residents • Originally considered part of the Tokelau Atolls • Claimed by Tokelau • Linguistically and culturally Tokelauan

  22. Independence Movements • Tokelauan Independence • Referendums for independence were voted down in 2006 and 2007. • 2006 • 60 percent in favor for independence • 2007 • 64.4 percent in favor for independence • 16 votes short of two-thirds majority required • Aid from New Zealand • Self-Governing Colony

  23. Environmental and Ecological Features • Tropical Climate • Rainfall between 1,500 and 3,500 mm • Original vegetation has been largely removed • Coconut plantations • Biodiversity features • 38 indigenous plants • 150 insect species • 29 species of birds • 10 land crab species • Introduced species • Polynesian Rat • Dogs • Cats • Pigs • Goats • Lizards

  24. Current Environmental Issues • Water shortages • Water salinization • Pollution and waste management • Cyclones • Invasive species

  25. Water Shortages • Water salinization • Flooding due to low elevation • Drought • La Nina

  26. Water Salinization • Severe storms cause flooding which effects underground lenses

  27. Pollution and Waste Management • Solid waste disposal • Expensive removal • Dumping on land and sea • Toxic chemicals • Portion of the coral reef killed • Barrels of chemicals swept into the water by a hurricane • Shipwreck on Fakaofo • Leaking waste into the lagoon • Contamination of food supply • Sewage

  28. Cyclones • Cyclones • Hurricane Percy • 2005 • Category 5 cyclone • Property damage • Flooding • Water salinization

  29. Invasive Species • Polynesian Rat • Only rodent in Tokelau • Destruction of indigenous plants • Coconut trees • Copra

  30. Environmental Policies • Water shortages & salinization • Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) • Rainwater harvesting • Water education • Improved drinking water quality and safety • Pollution and waste management • Solar panel array • Regulation of non-biodegradable products • Recyclable and solid waste transported to Samoa • Cyclones • National Weather Radio • Seawalls • Invasive species • Introduction of cats and dogs • Poisons and traps

  31. Conclusion • Political future • Continued reliance on New Zealand • This will continue with or without independence. • Financial aid is necessary to survive • Environmental Future • Increasing water shortages • Climate change • Severe weather • Pollution

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