REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR'S (DAVID PAYTON) VISIT TO TOKELAU
Atafu, Nukunonu, Fakaofo
4-9 November 2006
Introduction:
The Administrator's visit to the villages was primarily a courtesy call for David Payton as he took on the role as the Administrator of Tokelau. The Administrator was accompanied by the Ulu o Tokelau - Faipule Kolouei O'Brien and Officer-in-Charge Jovilisi Suveinakama. The Administrator visited all the Taupulega and met in Fakaofo with the Council of the Ongoing Government - also attending the meeting with Council were Directors / representatives and village managers / representatives. In all the villages the Administrator was accorded traditional welcome and farewell.
The Administrator's visit to the village was mainly to sit down with the Taupulega and hear some of their concerns. Accompanying the Administrator's Delegation from New Zealand were Gary Coullier - Chief Adviser to the NZ Government on the Tokelau Shipping Project and John Lane who is going to assist the New Zealand Government in the design of a vessel for Tokelau - Project Manager. Gary Coullier advised the Taupulega that a recommendation would be put forward to the NZ Cabinet by June 2007.
The Administrator in presenting some of his views to the Taupulega also conveyed NZ greetings from the Governor General of the realm of NZ, the PM of New Zealand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the former Administrator Neil Walter, Alan Williams, Davene Vroon, and others who hold Tokelau dear to their hearts. The Administrator expressed the intention of the Governor General and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit Tokelau next year.
The Administrator spoke about his background serving the NZ Government for about 32 years - as the New Zealand representative in Saudi Arabia, Europe, UN - New York and in Tonga during his younger days. He also conveyed that he is a son of a Baptist Church Minister and this has helped him in his convictions to the principles of decency, fairness and compassion. As an optimist he believes in a positive and better community for the future.
A key concept that the Administrator has challenged the leadership in Tokelau is the concept of intergenerational equity - investing in the future - in our children. The Administrator also spoke briefly on the 3 Es' that he would like to see real progress - Education, Environment and Economic Development.
The Administrator elaborated that Tokelau and New Zealand will always be family and will continue to do so by virtue of the NZ citizenship. He observed the schools, hospitals on all the villages. His remarked that the facilities provided should be brought to a standard befitting citizens of New Zealand.
At the end of his session with the Taupulega the Administrated committed to the meeting that he would "represent Tokelau to the NZ Government to the highest level and give my best to the wellbeing of Tokelau and its people". The Administrator also asked the Taupulega that in return he asked for "your understanding and acceptance that at times my words would be direct and ask many questions, I ask from you direct and honest answers. I want and I need your advice. In this way I believe we can work together for the best of Tokelau".
In most of the meetings there were questions and clarification of issues between the Taupulega and the Administrator. The villages presented their issues before Administrator.
The Ulu o Tokelau – Faipule Kolouei O'Brien also presented national priorities to the villages1. The Faipule in addressing the Taupulega stated “[y]ou will recall there was a Workshop in Apia in May and a Capability Review Workshop in Fakaofo in August. From those workshops our senior public servants suggested that Village Development, Health, Education, Shipping, Communications and ICT and Economic Development be our highest priorities. I support these priorities. Key for the villages to focus on is their Village development needs. Villages have spent considerable time defining what their needs are in relation to their development over the next 3 years.†Attached as Schedule 1 is the Ulu's Statement.
During the last leg of the visit the Council of the Ongoing Government met with the Administrator to discuss the future - "enough speaking and lets get to work".
SCHEDULE 1
2 November 2006
Speech notes for Ulu o Tokelau:
Meetings with Taupulega while accompanying the Administrator - November 2006
I have just returned from Pacific Forum and am accompanying our new Administrator to Tokelau for his first visit to Tokelau. I take this opportunity to express a few thoughts to the elders and people of Tokelau.
Pacific Forum was a strengthening experience. I was surpised by the amount of influence the many small island states had at the meetings. In many ways a small state like Kiribati was as important as a large one like Australia.
At the Forum I was impressed by the genuine support Tokelau had from our Pacific friends. There was much interest and support for our small country to decide our future path.
I was sad that we were not full members ….. but hopefully we will be in 2008!
For David Payton this is his first journey to the colony he administers. He joins us in an important period of our history - with a second referendum at the end of next year may mean we enter a new era of self-government. Prior to that Budget talks with New Zealand about our funding over the next 3 years will also be very important to our future.
David met the Faipule in New Zealand in September and was with us at the Forum. I have appreciated our times together. I extend a very warm welcome to him. I am sure we can work well together for the betterment of Tokelau.
Tokelau has been preparing for the budget talks with New Zealand sometime. We also have a major visit by regional organisations later this month. I understand that it is the very first time such organisations have travelled and consulted together. It will mean we see a lot of people at one time, but it is also a wonderful opportunity for them, with us, to develop a coordinated approach to Tokelau's needs. In the past we have been offered all kinds of ‘bits and pieces' of programmes from these organsiations that sometimes do not quite fit our needs. With this visit we have the opportunity to spell out our needs and to ask the donors to work together to assist with those specific needs.
I am keen that we be clear to New Zealand and other donors about our priorities for the next few years.
You will recall there was a Workshop in Apia in May and a Capability Review Workshop in Fakaofo in August. From those workshops our senior public servants suggested that Village Development, Health, Education, Shipping, Communications and ICT and Economic Development be our highest priorities.
I support these priorities.
Key for the villages to focus on is their Village development needs. Villages have spent considerable time defining what their needs are in relation to their development over the next 3 years. There have been examples like seawalls, power development, governance training, etc.
Can I please extend to each village the urgent challenge to come to a conclusion with this work. Please clarify and prioritise your village development needs over the next week and to send them to the Officer-in-Charge, Apia as soon as possible. I want them sent out in advance to those coming on the Regional Oganisations visit so they can come prepared with initial responses rather than questions.
Thank you for your patience in listening to me.
Tokelau has a busy time ahead of us. It is a time for us to map our future.
