POPULATION

Tokelauans are Polynesians although the country lies in the vague geographical area between Polynesia and Micronesia. They have linguistic, family and cultural links with Western Samoa and strong cultural links with Tuvalu.

Fakaofo has the largest population of 597, followed closely by Atafu with 543 and then Nukunonu with 437. Females are in a slight majority in the overall population. The population peaked in the 1960s at nearly 2000 but has been declining ever since.

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

Prehistory. Samoa, Rarotonga and Nanumanga in the Tuvalu group are all described in traditions as "homelands", and it is likely that early settlers of the three atolls came from each of those places.

1765. Commodore John Byron on the HMS Dolphin sights the uninhabited Atafu, naming it Duke of York's Island.

1791. Captain Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora also sights Atafu while searching for the Bounty mutineers. A few days later he sails in sight of Nukunonu, calling it Duke of Clarence's Island. Has no contact with islanders.

1835. Captain Smith of the American whaler General Jackson records sighting Fakaofo. Calls the atoll De Wolfs Island

1841. The first detailed knowledge of Tokelau is obtained in when the USS Peacock and Flying Fish of the United States exploring expedition spend several days among the islands. Fakaofo renamed Bowditch Island, which remained in use for many years. Its population was estimated at between 500 and 600, with about 120 people on Atafu.

1845-1860s. French Catholic missionaries on Wallis islands (Uvea) and missionaries of the London Missionary Society (LMS) in Samoa use native teachers in attempts to convert the Tokelauans to Christianity. The population of Atafu becomes converted by the LMS and those on Nukunonu become Catholics. The people of Fakaofo have both Protestant and Catholic adherents.

1860s. Peruvian slave raiders remove about 140 people from these atolls. Dysentery outbreak reduces the population to about 200. Beachcombers - American, Portuguese, Scottish, French and German - settle and intermarry with local women, as do Polynesian immigrants.

1877. British high commissioner for the Western Pacific in Fiji is given jurisdiction over British subjects in the Tokelaus.

1889. Britain, feeling that the islands might prove useful for staging points for the proposed trans-Pacific cable, places them under British protection.

1916. In the three islands, known at the time as the Union Group, become part of the newly proclaimed Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony. Administration from Ocean Island results in some improvements in medical care. Some Tokelauans are recruited to work that island's phosphate deposits.

1925. New Zealand government undertakes to administer the islands from Western Samoa, then a mandated territory.

1946. Group is officially designated the Tokelau Islands under the Tokelau Nomenclature Ordinance.

1948. The islands are included within the territorial boundaries of New Zealand by the Tokelau Islands Act.

1974. Administrative responsibility is transferred from the department of Maori and Island affairs to the ministry of foreign affairs, the secretary of which becomes the administrator of Tokelau.

1976. Name of the group becomes, simply, Tokelau

1980. Tokelau Administration Regulations give the minister power to appoint a suitable person as administrator who then delegates further power to an official secretary based in Apia.

1980s-1990s. Tokelau continues to be severely disadvantaged throughout the by inadequate transport links with other parts of the Pacific. During 1993, 1994 and 1995 the matter of self-government is again raised, with a status similar to that of Niue or Cook Islands the probable outcome.

EDUCATION

Each of the three atolls has modern schools under the administration of the education department of the public service. Assistance is also forthcoming from Western Samoa. Education is available to all children between the ages of five and 18. Schooling is free and attendance is close to 100 per cent. There are pre-school classes in each village. School libraries cater for the community as well.

There are 43 qualified teachers in Tokelau and 13 teachers' aides. Teachers are being encouraged to upgrade their professional and academic skills through correspondence courses and more frequent in-service training. VSA volunteers have been establishing form 5 science programmes, providing in-service training and developing a preschool curriculum.

Schools.

Each atoll community has a well-equipped primary school with an active parent-teacher association which helps to organise school activities and raise funds. The curriculum is similar to that offered in New Zealand primary schools.

Modern secondary schools are on each atoll and in 1987 form five national examinations were introduced. Previously students had sat for scholarship selection for further secondary education overseas - namely in Western Samoa, Tonga, Niue and New Zealand - at form two level. However, it was felt that students were being sent away from their island home at too young an age. A longer period of education in Tokelau secondary schools should better equip those students who seek higher education overseas. In 1992 40 students were at secondary schools overseas.

Technical & vocational. Adult learning centres have been established on each of the atolls with the aim of developing youth programmes to assist school leavers and to provide appropriate courses for adults. These programmes focus on developing traditional skills such as carving and weaving. The centres are run by coordinators who help local tutors run their courses. Other trade specific courses include sewing, outboard motor maintenance and engineering. In 1992 about 40 students were studying vocational courses in other Pacific countries. Courses undertaken included nursing, marine training, typing, telecommunications and as dental and laboratory technicians.

Tertiary. Tokelau is serviced by the University of the South Pacific (USP) extension centre in Western Samoa, one of several located in the countries of the region. In 1992, 32 students were studying USP courses - four internally and the balance by extension studies. A few students attend the USP Alafua campus in Western Samoa or universities in New Zealand.

HEALTH

The health care system is operated by the health department of the public service. Each of the three atolls has a hospital which, in conjunction with the referral service to Western Samoa, provides primary health care to the community. Each hospital is well equipped with drugs and medical and surgical instruments. Only very basic laboratory tests can be undertaken.The health care system is operated by the health department of the public service. Each of the three atolls has a hospital which, in conjunction with the referral service to Western Samoa, provides primary health care to the community. Each hospital is well equipped with drugs and medical and surgical instruments. Only very basic laboratory tests can be undertaken.

Health care workers operate in isolation from each other and from the centre of learning. There are plans for the installation of diagnostic services, an X-ray unit, a laboratory and an operating theatre at a central location, thereby centralising services and reducing the need for referrals to Western Samoa.

The health department is also involved in public preventative health services. There are ongoing programmes to upgrade water supplies and sanitation services. Women's committees on each atoll actively participate in maternal and child health programmes in association with medical personnel. Nursing training is undertaken in Western Samoa, Fiji and New Zealand.

Skin infections, influenza, gastro-enteritis and upper respiratory tract infections are prevalent. Major causes of death are pneumonia, heart disease and cancer. Of major concern is the rapid increase in non-communicable diseases - hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and gout. Factors contributing to this increase are the heavy dependence on imported foods and the changing lifestyle. A 1990 survey revealed that 80 per cent of the adult population smoke, 400 bottles of beer per drinker are consumed each year and each person uses 50 kg of sugar per annum. There is a high incidence of obesity. A health programme has been devised to address these problems and to inform the community of the risks which need to be avoided.

Childhood diseases such as pertussis, diphtheria. tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles are well controlled through an immunisation programme which is widely accepted by the population.

Dental health is generally poor, mainly because of the change in dietary patterns which now focus on more store-bought refined foods and fewer traditional fresh foods. The dental health programme for school children involves issuing toothbrushes and toothpastes to students.

The crude birth rate is 22 per 1000 and the crude death rate 7 per 1000.

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