Citizens Service

New Zealand Citizenship

Tokelauans are New Zealand citizens by birth and have the same rights as other New Zealanders when in New Zealand. Tokelauans do not need a visa to enter New Zealand. Long term residents in Tokelau who wish to apply for New Zealand citizenship should contact the Department of Transport and Support Services in Apia (ph: +685 20 822).

About Tokelau

Tokelau consists of three atolls located about 483 km north of Western Samoa. Atafu is the northernmost atoll, 92 km north of Nukunonu, which in turn lies 64 km north of Fakaofo.

Each atoll consist of a number of reef-bound islets (motu) encircling a lagoon. The islets vary in size from 90 m to 6 km in length and from a few metres to 200 metres in width. The largest atoll is Nukunonu at 4.7 sq km. Fakaofo and Atafu are 4 sq km and 3.5 sq km respectively. From Atafu in the north to Fakaofo in the south, the group extends for just under 200 km. The atolls are three to five metres above sea level.