NZ announces HE Ross Ardern to take on top Tokelau post in May 2018

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Representing the Administrator of Tokelau, Mrs Maria Reynen Clayton. 
Photo Tokelau Media
New Zealand announced earlier this week the impending arrival of H.E. Ross Ardern as the Administrator of
Tokelau, and close to $40million investment in Tokelau.

Mrs Maria Reynen Clayton, representing the Administrator, Mr Jonathan Kings who could not make the trip
due to work duties, updated Tokelau’s 21 General Fono delegates on Mr Ardern’s schedule.

“Ross Ardern has accepted the role of Administrator of Tokelau,” she announced.

“He will complete his work as the High Commissioner in Niue at the end of April. A visit to Tokelau as soon
as possible is a priority. Please advise my office if it would be suitable for him to visit each of nuku in the
first two weeks of May.”

The statement highlighted three areas.

First is to invest “close to $40 million to improve Tokelau’s internet and transport connectivity.” An
investment that can maximize opportunities offered by improved connectivity such as making it easier for
medical specialists in New Zealand to provide advice to doctors in Tokelau.

Secondly, in terms of development she emphasized “New Zealand and Tokelau are working together in
many areas to achieve Tokelau’s aspirations, including strengthening Tokelau’s fisheries agency; and its
capacity to manage its own ships safely, to name just two.”

And thirdly, areas of concern. Near the top is Education and as a result will see New Zealand’s Education
Review Office (ERO) visiting Tokelau soon.

“While I have noted reports of the progress made by schools, I look forward to an independent review,”
noted the Administrator’s statement.

“I understand that recent changes to scholarship policy could result in more students failing at tertiary study.
This is not good for them, their family or Tokelau. I suggest that more investment in preparing students well
for further study and vocational training is important.”

The Administrator’s statement concluded with a note of encouragement as Tokelau’s General Fono meeting
opened its formal session yesterday.

“As you focus on your great responsibilities to the nation of Tokelau, I encourage you to be open in your
thinking and dialogue because preparing well for the future is indeed a great challenge.”

The full New Zealand statement as provided is included below.

For more information contact: Ms Litia Maiava, Tokelau Media Officer | Mob: +690 740165 | Email:
litia.maiava@tokelau.org.nz

NZ Statement: Administrator of Tokelau, Mr Jonathan Kings [Delivered by Mrs Maria
Reynen Clayton]

Venue: Fakafotu, Fakaofo
Date: March 6, 2018

E Fakatalofa atu ki te mamalu o koulua Tokelau kua fakatahi mai ki te Fakanofoga o te Ulu o Tokelau 2018.

I wish to acknowledge reverend leaders of the churches, the cultural custodians of wisdom our Tokelau
elders, the Ulu o Tokelau, respective Faipule and Pulenuku, Hui o te Fono fakamua, Hui o na Fatupaepae,
members of the public service and all those in this village family.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa – greetings from New Zealand.

I regret that I cannot attend the General Fono because of other work duties.

As you know, Ross Ardern has accepted the role of Administrator of Tokelau. I am certain he will continue
to strengthen the very important relationship between New Zealand and Tokelau.

He will complete his work as the High Commissioner in Niue at the end of April. A visit to Tokelau as soon
as possible is a priority. Please advise my office if it would be suitable for him to visit each of nuku in the
first two weeks of May.

Council’s visit to Wellington in December was successful. They met with the Deputy Prime Minister. They
had a range of good meetings.

I hosted a reception from them and members of the Tokelau community.

The visit had many positive results. It renewed enthusiasm for working with Tokelau. I know that Tokelau’s
villages and officials will schedule numerous requests from New Zealand agencies to visit with care to allow
work to be completed effectively.

New Zealand will be investing close to $40 million to improve Tokelau’s internet and transport connectivity.
These are exciting developments for Tokelau.

My office is keen to work with you to identify how to make the most of the opportunities offered by
improved connectivity. For example, the better internet would make it easier for medical specialists in
New Zealand to provide advice to doctors in Tokelau.

New Zealand and Tokelau are working together in many areas to achieve Tokelau’s aspirations, including
strengthening Tokelau’s fisheries agency and its capacity to manage its own ships safely, to name just two.

I am pleased that Education Review Office will visit Tokelau soon. While I have noted reports of the
progress made by schools, I look forward to an independent review.

This General Fono will consider the mid-term budget review paper. The budget paper shows that some
recent policy decisions have increased expenditure more than expected.

I understand that recent changes to scholarship policy could result in more students failing at tertiary study.
This is not good for them, their family or Tokelau.

I suggest that more investment in preparing students well for further study and vocational training is
important.

As you focus on your great responsibilities to the nation of Tokelau, I encourage you to be open in your
thinking and dialogue because preparing well for the future is indeed a great challenge.

From my meetings with Council, I know they are keen to strengthen Tokelau’s national self-governance.
New Zealand offers its assistance and looks forward to direction from Tokelau.

We look forward to working with the incoming Ulu and wish him determination and confidence as he takes
on additional responsibilities for the year.

Ke alofa te Atua ke fakamanuia mai ia Tokelau ma ona tagata.

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Tokelau’s General Fono in session. 
Photo Tokelau Media.



TOKELAU OVERVIEW

Tokelau is a non-self- governing territory of New Zealand. It is located in the Pacific Ocean north of Samoa
and south of the Equator (9 00 S, 172 00 W). It is only accessible by boat, taking an estimated 28hours to
reach the closest atoll, Fakaofo, a further three hours to Nukunonu, and another six hours to Atafu.

It is made up of the three small atolls named above, separated from each other by high seas. The total land
area is approximately 12 km². The total sea area of the exclusive economic zone is approximately 518,000
km². The height above sea level is between 3-5 meters, the maximum width is 200 meters. Tokelau is
therefore particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and impacts of climate change such as sea-level rise.

The people of Tokelau are New Zealand citizens. Their relationship hailed by the United Nations as a model
for other territories and administering countries to follow.

The population of 1499 (2016 census) is spread approximately equally among the three atolls (Atafu (541);
Fakaofo (506) and Nukunonu (452). The traditional lifestyle was subsistence but Tokelau has moved to a
cash economy. The only natural resource of any current economic significance is the fishery of the exclusive
economic zone.

Tokelau has no main town; each island has its own administrative centre, hospital, school and basic
infrastructure. There are no airstrips or harbours. Access is by ship only, through the Port of Apia, Samoa.

There are approximately 7000 Tokelauans living in New Zealand, and smaller communities live in Australia,
American Samoa, Samoa, Rapa Nui, and Hawaii.