Tokelau
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{{Infobox Country
|native_name =Tokelau
|common_name =Tokelau
|image_flag =Flag of Tokelau.svg
|image_coat =Coat of arms of Tokelau.jpg
|image_map =LocationTokelau.png
|national_motto =''Tokealau No Te Atua''
|national_anthem =
|capital =None; each atoll has its own administrative centre.
|demonym =Tokelauan
|latd=|latm=|latNS=|longd=|longm=|longEW=
|largest_city =
|official_languages =[[Tokelauan language|Tokelauan]], [[English language|English]]
|government_type =[[Constitutional monarchy]]
|leader_title1 =[[Monarchy in the Cook Islands|Head of State]]
|leader_name1 =[[Elizabeth II of New Zealand|Queen Elizabeth II]]
|leader_title2 =[[Administrators of Tokelau|Administrator]]
|leader_name2 =[[David Payton]]
|leader_title3 =[[Heads of Government of Tokelau|Head of Government]]
|leader_name3 =[[Pio Tuia]]
|sovereignty_type ={{nowrap|[[New Zealand]] territory}}
|established_event1 =Tokelau Act
|established_date1 =1948
|area_rank =228th
|area_magnitude =1 E7
|area_km2 =10
|area_sq_mi =5
|percent_water =negligible
|population_estimate =1,449
|population_estimate_year =2007
|population_estimate_rank =220th
|population_census =1,466<sup>1</sup>
|population_census_year =2006
|population_density_km2 =115
|population_density_sq_mi =298
|population_density_rank = 86th
|GDP_PPP_year = 1993
|GDP_PPP = $1.5 million
|GDP_PPP_rank = 227th
|GDP_PPP_per_capita =$1,035
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =<small>not ranked</small>
|HDI_year =
|HDI =
|HDI_rank =
|HDI_category =
|currency =[[New Zealand dollar]]
|currency_code =NZD
|time_zone =
|utc_offset =-10
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|cctld =[[.tk]]
|calling_code =690
|Demonym =[[Tokelauan]]
|footnotes =Some data from the [[World Factbook]] (2004).<br>1. [http://www.spc.int/prism/NSO-News/TK/2006%20Census%20Tabular%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf Tuhiga Igoa o te 2006 - 2006 Tokelau Census of Population and Dwellings]. The Census population figure of 1,466 includes 392 usual residents of Tokelau who were absent on census night.
}}
'''Tokelau''' ({{pronEng|ˈtoʊkəlaʊ}}) is a territory of [[New Zealand]] that consists of three tropical coral [[atoll]]s in the South [[Pacific Ocean]]. The [[United Nations]] [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]] designated Tokelau a [[United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories|Non-Self-Governing Territory]].<ref>{{cite web||url=http://www.tokelau.org.nz/|title=Official site for the Tokelau Council of Ongoing Government||accessdate=2007-11-04|quote=The basis of Tokelau's legislative, administrative and judicial systems is the Tokelau Islands Act 1948 and its amendments. (See the link "LAW") In November 1974 the administration of Tokelau was transferred from the Mäori and Island Affairs Department to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From then until September 1980, when the Tokelau administration regulations were amended, the New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs was the administrator of Tokelau. New regulations then came into force whereby the Minister of Foreign Affairs was empowered to appoint a suitable person to be the Administrator of Tokelau. The New Zealand flag is used and the anthem is God Save the Queen.}}</ref>
Until 1976 the official name was ''Tokelau Islands''. Tokelau is sometimes referred to by Westerners by the older, colonial name of ''The Union Islands''.
==Etymology and consequences of name usage==
The name ''Tokelau'' is a [[Polynesian languages|Polynesian]] word meaning "north wind". The islands were officially named the ''Union Islands'' and ''Union Group'' at unknown times. ''Tokelau Islands'' was adopted in 1946, which was contracted to ''Tokelau'' on [[9 December]] [[1976]].
The change in usage between ''Tokelau Islands'' and ''Tokelau'' marks a slight shift in emphasis, with consequences in regional diplomacy, in that the term ''Tokelau Islands'' clearly and substantially refers to a geographical expression, that is, a range of islands, whatever else it may connote. Thus it is not necessarily controversial to refer to a range of islands by one name, even though politically they may come under two jurisdictions. Whereas ''Tokelau'' can be taken to refer more immediately to some concept of nationhood, arguably infusing increased meaning to the draft 2006 independence constitution of Tokelau which, controversially or not, defines [[Swains Island]], currently part of [[American Samoa]], as part of the national territory.
==Geography==
[[Image:Tokelau Islands.png|thumb|left|300px|Map of all Tokelau Islands. Swains Island is shown to the south]]
Tokelau comprises three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean between 171° and 173° W longitude and 8° and 10° S latitude, approximately midway between [[Hawaii]] and New Zealand. They lie about {{convert|500|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} north of [[Samoa]]. The islands are [[Atafu]], at one time known as the Duke of York Group, [[Nukunonu]], also the Duke of Clarence Group, and [[Fakaofo]], once Bowditch Island. Between them they comprise a land area of 10.8 km². There are no ports or harbours. Tokelau lies in the Pacific [[typhoon]] belt. A fourth island that is culturally, historically, and geographically, but not politically, part of the Tokelau chain is [[Swains Island]] (Olohega), under [[United States]] control since about 1900 and administered as part of [[American Samoa]] since 1925. The island was claimed by the United States pursuant to the [[Guano Islands Act]] as were the other three islands of Tokelau, which claims were ceded to Tokelau by treaty in 1979. In the draft constitution of Tokelau subject to the Tokelauan self-determination referendum in 2006, Olohega is claimed as part of Tokelau, a claim surrendered in the same 1979 treaty which established a boundary between American Samoa and Tokelau.
Tokelau's claim to Swains is generally comparable to the [[Marshall Islands]]' claim to US-administered [[Wake Island]], but the re-emergence of this somewhat dormant issue has been an unintended result of the [[United Nations]]' recent efforts to promote decolonization in Tokelau. Basically, Tokelauans have proved somewhat reluctant to push their national identity in the political realm: recent decolonization moves have mainly been driven from outside for ideological reasons. But at the same time, Tokelauans are reluctant to disown their common cultural identity with Swains Islanders who speak their language.
Against the claim in Tokelau's draft constitution that Swains Island is part of Tokelau is the arguably telling symbolism of the three stars on the flag of Tokelau, representing [[Atafu]], [[Nukunonu]] and [[Fakaofo]], i.e., not including Swains Island (Olohega). The suggestion which could be inferred from this is that, in identifying with a three-star flag, supporters of Tokelau's independence do not actively expect Swains Island to be incorporated into any independent [[Tokelauan]] state that might emerge in the foreseeable future. In turn, against this it may be argued that, since the flag of Tokelau is neither currently official, nor the emblem of an internationally recognized sovereign state, then the number of stars, and the islands which they represent, cannot be regarded as conclusive indication as to the territorial aspirations of Tokelau's nationalists. By way of example in support of this is the fact that in the 1990s neighbouring [[Tuvalu]], with which Tokelau has cultural affinities, varied the number of stars — representing islands — on different official versions of its national flag.
Tokelau is in a completely different time zone to most of New Zealand, being 10 hours behind [[Coordinated Universal Time]] (UTC) rather than 12 hours in front, meaning a 22 hour time difference for much of the year (New Zealand has [[daylight saving time]] (DST) for part of the year while Tokelau never participates). Tokelau is in the same time zone as the [[Cook Islands]] and [[Hawaii]] rather than neighbouring [[Samoa]] and [[American Samoa]]. <ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldtimezone.com/time/wtzresult.php?CiID=42135
| title = Current local time in Fakaofo, Tokelau
| accessdate = 2007-12-28
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<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~caplabtb/m302w07/time_zones.pdf
| title = World Time Zones map
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;[[Geographic location]]s of Tokelau's atolls:
*Atafu: {{coor dms|8|33|6|S|172|30|3|W|region:TK_type:adm2nd|name=Atafu}}
*Nukunonu: {{coor dms|9|10|6|S|171|48|35|W|region:TK_type:adm2nd|name=Nukunonu}}
*Fakaofo: {{coor dms|9|21|55|S|171|12|54|W|region:TK_type:adm2nd|name=Fakaofo}}
==History==
Archaeological evidence indicates that the atolls of Tokelau — [[Atafu]], [[Nukunonu]], and [[Fakaofo]] — were settled about 1000 years ago, probably by voyages from [[Samoa]], the [[Cook Islands]] and [[Tuvalu]]. Oral history traces local traditions and genealogies back several hundred years.<ref name="mfat">{{cite web|url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Tokelau.php|publisher=[[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]]|title=Tokelau|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref> Inhabitants followed [[Polynesian mythology]] with the local god [[Tui Tokelau]]; and developed forms of music (see [[Music of Tokelau]]) and art. The three atolls functioned largely independently while maintaining social and linguistic cohesion. Tokelauan society was governed by chiefly [[clan]]s, and there were occasional inter-atoll skirmishes and [[war]]s as well as inter-[[marriage]]. Fakaofo, the "chiefly island,"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fakaofo.tk/page001.html|title=Fakaofo|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref> held some dominance over Atafu and Nukunonu. Life on the atolls was subsistence-based, with reliance on [[fish]] and [[coconut]].<ref name="mfat"/>
===Western discovery and contact===
Commodore [[John Byron]] discovered [[Atafu]] on [[24 June]] [[1765]] and named it "Duke of York's Island." Parties onshore reported that there were no signs of current or previous inhabitants.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8lgBAAAAYAAJ|pages=132, 133|title=An Account of the Voyages Undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for making discoveries in the southern hemisphere and successfully performed by Commodore Byron, Captain Carteret, Captain Wallis and Captain Cook in the Dolphin, the Swallow, and the Endeavour|author=John Byron, John Samuel Wallis, Philip Carteret, James Cook, Joseph Banks|year=1773|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref><ref name="mac30">MacGregor, 30</ref> [[Edward Edwards|Captain Edward Edwards]], in knowledge of Byron's discovery, visited Atafu on [[6 June]] [[1791]]{{Fact|date=September 2007}} in search of the [[Mutiny on the Bounty|''Bounty'' mutineers]]. There were no permanent inhabitants, but houses contained canoes and fishing gear, suggesting the island was used as a temporary residence by fishing parties.<ref name="mac30"/> On [[12 June]] [[1791]], Edwards sailed southward and discovered [[Nukunonu]], naming it "Duke of Clarence's Island".<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=HJYhAAAAMAAJ&q=%2212+June%22&pgis=1|pages=164|title=The Discovery of the Pacific Islands|author=Sharp, Andrew|year=1960|accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref> A landing party could not make contact with the people but saw "''morai''s," burying places, and canoes with "stages in their middle" sailing across the lagoons.<ref name="mac30"/>
On [[29 October]] [[1825]] August R. Strong of the U.S.N Dolphin wrote of his crew's arrival at the atoll [[Nukunonu]], "Upon examination, we found they had removed all the women and children from the settlement, which was quite small, and put them in canoes lying off a rock in the lagoon. They would frequently come near the shore, but when we approached they would pull off with great noise and precipitation." (The Journal of the South Pacific, 110 (3), pp.296).
[[Image:Bowditch Tokelau.png|right|250px|thumb|Fakaofo islanders, drawn in 1841 by the [[United States Exploring Expedition]]]]
On [[14 February]] [[1835]] [[Captain Smith]] of the United States whaler ''General Jackson'' records discovering [[Fakaofo]], calling it "D'Wolf's Island".<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=oWQLAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Smith+placed+Fakaofo+correctly%22|pages=102|title=The Journal of the Polynesian Society|author=Polynesian Society (N. Z.)|year=1961|accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref><ref name="booklet">{{cite web|url=http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/Pacific/Tokelau/0-tokelaubooklet.php|publisher=[[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]]|title= Information Bulletin on Tokelau|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref> On [[25 January]] [[1841]], the [[United States Exploring Expedition]] visited Atafu and discovered a small population living on the island. The residents appeared to be temporary, evidenced by the lack of a chief and the possession of double [[canoe]]s (used for inter-island travel). They desired to barter, and possessed blue beads and a plane-iron, indicating previous interaction with foreigners. <!--Days later, [[Captain Morvan]] discovered Fakaofo --> The expedition reached Nukunonu on [[28 January]] [[1841]] but did not record any information about inhabitants. On [[29 January]] [[1841]], the expedition discovered Fakaofo and named it "Bowditch".<ref>[[Nathaniel Bowditch]] (1773 – 1838) was an American mathematician remembered for his work on ocean navigation.</ref> The islanders were found to be similar in appearance and nature to those in Atafu.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NyQcAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA538|pages=538|title=Voyage Round the World|author=Charles Wilkes|year=1849|accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref>
Missionaries preached [[Christianity]] in Tokelau from 1845 to the 1860s. [[France|French]] [[Catholic]] missionaries on [[Uvea]] and missionaries of the [[Protestant]] [[London Missionary Society]] in [[Samoa]] used native teachers to convert the Tokelauans. Atafu was converted to [[Protestant]]ism by the London Missionary Society, Nukunonu was converted to [[Catholic]]ism and Fakofo was converted to both denominations.<ref>[http://www.tokelau.org.nz/About_Tokelau/people.htm People<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Peru]]vian [[slave trader]]s arrived in 1863 and took nearly all (253) of the able-bodied men to work as labourers. The men died of [[dysentery]] and [[smallpox]], and very few returned to Tokelau. With this loss, the system of governance became based on the "Taupulega", or "Councils of Elders", where individual families on each atoll were represented.<ref name="mfat"/><ref name="booklet"/> During this time, [[Polynesia]]n immigrants and [[United States|American]], [[Scottish people|Scottish]], [[French people|French]], [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] and [[German people|German]] beachcombers settled, marrying local women and repopulating the atolls.<ref name="booklet"/>
===Government===
Villages are entitled to enact their own laws regulating their daily lives and New Zealand law only applies where it has been extended by specific enactment. Serious crime is rare and there are no prisons - offenders are publicly rebuked, fined or made to work<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tokelau.org.nz/|title=Official site for the Tokelau Council of Ongoing Government|accessdate=2007-11-04|quote=The legislation and judicial systems are based on the Tokelau Act, 1948, and its amendments. A major law reform project is continuing; its purpose is to ensure that Tokelau has a coherent body of law which responds to current needs and gives due recognition to local custom. Unless it is expressly extended to Tokelau, New Zealand statute law does not apply to the territory. In practice, no New Zealand legislation is extended to Tokelau without Tokelauan consent. The villages have the statutory power to enact their own laws covering village affairs. International covenants on economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights, ratified by New Zealand in December 1978, apply in Tokelau. Civil and criminal jurisdiction is exercised by commissioners and the New Zealand high court.}}</ref>
In 1877 the islands were included under the protection of [[Great Britain]] by an [[Order-in-council]] which claimed jurisdiction over all unclaimed [[Pacific Islands]]. [[Commander Oldham]] on ''HMS Egeria'' landed at each of the three atolls in June 1889<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=agAaAAAAMAAJ&q=%22June,%201889,%20and%20on%22&dq=oldham+june+1889+egeria&as_brr=0&pgis=1|pages=43|title=The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|author=Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland|year=1965|accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref> and officially raised the [[Union Flag]], declaring the group a [[Great Britain|British]] [[protectorate]]. The British government annexed Tokelau to the colony of the [[Gilbert and Ellice Islands]] and transferred Tokelau to [[New Zealand]] administration in 1926, abolishing the islands' chiefdoms. By the [[Tokelau Act]] of 1948, [[sovereignty]] over Tokelau was transferred to New Zealand. Defence is also the responsibility of [[New Zealand]]. However, the Tokelauans are drafting a [[constitution]] and developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves towards free association with [[New Zealand]], similarly to [[Niue]] and the [[Cook Islands]].{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
==Politics==
{{main|Politics of Tokelau}}
The [[head of state]] is [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]], the [[Monarchy in New Zealand|Queen in right of New Zealand]], who also reigns over the [[United Kingdom]] and the other [[Commonwealth Realm]]s. The Queen is represented in the territory by Administrator [[David Payton]]. The current head of government is [[Kuresa Nasau]], who presides over the Council for the Ongoing Governance of Tokelau, which functions as a cabinet. The Council consists of the ''Faipule'' (leader) and ''Pulenuku'' (village mayor) of each of the three atolls.<ref name=TokelauCouncilGovernance>[http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Government/governance.htm Tokelauan Council of Ongoing Governance - Governance of Tokelau]</ref> The monarch is hereditary, the administrator appointed by the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] in New Zealand, and the office of head of government rotates between the three Faipule for a one-year term.<ref name=TokelauCouncilGovernance>[http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Government/governance.htm Tokelauan Council of Ongoing Governance - Governance of Tokelau]</ref>
The Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono, a unicameral body. The number of seats each atoll receives in the Fono is determined by population — at present, Fakaofo and Atafu both have eight and Nukunonu has seven. <ref name=TokelauCouncilGovernance>[http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Government/governance.htm Tokelauan Council of Ongoing Governance - Governance of Tokelau]</ref> ''Faipule'' and ''Pukenuku'' (atoll leaders and village mayors) also sit in the Fono.<ref name=TokelauCouncilGovernance>[http://www.tokelau.org.nz/Government/governance.htm Tokelauan Council of Ongoing Governance - Governance of Tokelau]</ref>
On [[11 November]], [[2004]] Tokelau and New Zealand took steps to formulate a treaty that would turn Tokelau from a non-self-governing territory to a self-governing state in [[Associated state|free association]] with New Zealand. Besides the treaty, a [[UN]]-sponsored [[Tokelauan self-determination referendum, 2006|referendum on self-determination]] took place, with the three islands voting on successive days starting [[13 February]] [[2006]]. (Tokelauans based in [[Apia, Samoa]], voted on [[February 11]].) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tokelau.org.nz/english/gfdecisions/gfnov05.html|title=Fono decisions|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref>. Out of 581 votes cast, 349 were for Free Association, being short of the two-thirds majority required for the measure to pass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411366/661377|title=Tokelau rejects self-rule|publisher=[[Television New Zealand]]|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref> The referendum was profiled (somewhat light-heartedly) in the [[1 May]] [[2006]] issue of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/05/01/060501fa_fact_parker|title=Letter from Polynesia: Birth of a nation?|publisher=[[The New Yorker]]|author=Parker, Ian|date=[[1 May]] [[2006]]|accessdate=2007-09-29}}</ref> A repeat [[Tokelauan self-determination referendum, 2007|referendum took place on October 20-24, 2007]], again narrowly failing to approve self-government. This time the vote was short by just 16 votes or 3%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1318360/1415741|title=Tokelau stays as NZ's last colony|publisher=[[Television New Zealand]]|accessdate=2007-10-25}}</ref>
In [[May 2008]], the United Nations' Secretary General [[Ban Ki-moon]] urged colonial powers "to complete the decolonization process in every one of the remaining 16 [[Non-Self-Governing Territories]]", including Tokelau.<ref>[http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2008/sgsm11568.doc.htm "Colonialism has no place in today's world," says Secretary General in message to Decolonization Seminar in Indonesia"], United Nations press release, May 14, 2008</ref> This led the ''New Zealand Herald'' to comment that the United Nations was "apparently frustrated by two failed attempts to get Tokelau to vote for independence".<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10510595 "Tokelau decolonisation high on agenda"], ''New Zealand Herald'', May 17, 2008</ref>
==Economy==
According to the [[Central Intelligence Agency]]'s [[list of countries by GDP (PPP)]] Tokelau has the smallest economy of any country in the world. Tokelau has an annual [[purchasing power]] of about US$1,000 (€674) per capita. The government is almost entirely dependent on subsidies from New Zealand. It has annual revenues of less than US$500,000 (€336,995) against expenditures of some US$2.8 million (€1.9 million). The deficit is made up by aid from New Zealand. Tokelau exports around US$100,000 (€67,400) of [[Postage stamp|stamps]], [[copra]] and handicrafts, woven and carved, annually and imports over US$300,000 (€202,197) of foodstuffs, building materials, and fuel to, and from, New Zealand. New Zealand also pays directly for the cost of medical and education services. Local industries include small-scale enterprises for [[copra]] production, wood work, plaited craft goods, stamps, coins, and fishing. Agriculture and livestock produces [[coconut]]s, [[copra]], [[breadfruit]], [[papaya]]s, [[banana]]s, [[pig]]s, [[poultry]] and few [[goat]]s. A large number of Tokelauans live in New Zealand and support their families in Tokelau through [[remittance]]s.
===Internet domain names===
{{Mainarticle|.tk}}
Tokelau has added 10% to its GDP through registrations of [[domain name]]s under its [[top-level domain]], [[.tk]].<ref>{{web cite|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6991719.stm|title=Net gains for tiny Pacific nation|date=2007-09-14|accessdate=2008-05-24}}</ref> Registrations can be either free, in which case advertising is displayed on the site along with other restrictions, or paid, which allows the domain owner to remove the advertising and other restrictions. Free domains are pointed to Tokelau [[Name server|name server]]s and the only services available are [[HTTP]] traffic being redirected via [[HTML]] frames to a specified address, where there is also a frame displaying advertising, and the redirection of up to five email address to external address (not at a .tk domain). Also, free domains have a minimum traffic limit of 25 unique visitors in any 90 day period. If this limit is not reached, the domain is suspended and the owner has either 10 days to convert the domain to a paid domain or have the domain deregistered.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
In September 2003 [[Fakaofo]] became the first part of Tokelau with a high-speed [[Internet]] connection. [[Foundation Tokelau]] finances the project. Tokelau gives most domain names under its authority away to anyone for free to gain publicity for the territory. This has allowed the nation to gain enhanced telecommunications technologies, such as more computers and Internet access for Tokelauan residents.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
==Demographics==
[[Image:Fakaofo Atoll.jpg|thumb|left|The atoll of Fakaofo, southernmost of the Tokelau Islands]]
Tokelau (pronounced To'-keh-law) has a population of 1,433 (as of July 2008). This is 0.011% lower than 2007, showing a declining population. The nationals of Tokelau are called [[Tokelauan people|Tokelauan]]s, and the major ethnic group are [[Polynesian people|Polynesian]]s, and the country has no minorities. The major religion is the [[Congregational Christian Church]] and the main language is [[Tokelauan language|Tokelauan]], but [[English language|English]] is also spoken.
Tokelau has fewer than 1,500 [[Polynesia#Cultures of Polynesia|Polynesia]]n inhabitants in three villages who speak [[Tokelauan language|Tokelauan]] and [[English language|English]]. Their isolation and lack of resources greatly limits economic development and confines agriculture to the subsistence level. The very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to [[New Zealand]] and [[Samoa]], resulting in a population decline of about 0.9% per year. Depletion of [[tuna]] has made fishing for food more difficult.
On the island of [[Atafu]] almost all inhabitants are members of the Congregational Christian Church of [[Samoa]]. On [[Nukunonu]] almost all are [[Roman Catholic]]. On [[Fakaofo]] both denominations are present with the Congregational Christian Church predominant. The total proportions are: Congregational Christian Church 62%, Roman Catholic 34%, other 5%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spc.int/prism/NSO-News/TK/2006%20Census%20Tabular%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf|title=2006 Tokelau Census of Population and Dwellings|format=PDF|date=[[20 December]] [[2006]]|accessdate=2007-09-29|pages=Table 2.5}}</ref>
While slightly more females than males live on Atafu and Fakaofo, males make up 57% of Nukunonu residents.<ref>Tokelau Census of Population and Dwellings, Table 1.3.1.</ref> Only 9% of Tokelauans aged 40 or more have never been married.<ref>Tokelau Census of
Population and Dwellings, Table 1.5.</ref> One quarter of the population were born overseas; almost all the rest live on the same atoll they were born on.<ref>Tokelau Census of Population and Dwellings, Table 3.2.</ref> Most households own 5 or more pigs.<ref>Tokelau Census of Population and Dwellings, Table 6.13.</ref>
==Miscellaneous==
Each atoll has a school and hospital. The health services has a Director of Health based in [[Apia]] and a Chief Clinical Advisor who moves from atoll to atoll as required to assist the doctors attached to each hospital. In 2007 there was not always a doctor on each island and [[locum]]s were appointed to fill the gaps. Upcoming Tokelaun medical graduates should alleviate this shortage in the coming years.
Many Tokelauan youth travel to New Zealand to further their education and the ship is full around Christmas time with students returning home and then heading off for another year of study.
Tokelau has a radio telephone service between the islands and to [[Samoa]]. In 1997, a government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok) with three satellite earth stations was established. Each atoll has a radio-broadcast station that broadcasts shipping and weather reports and every household has a radio or access to one.
[[Image:Tokelau barge.JPG|thumb|right|A barge leaves the landing ramp in Nukuono to collect cargo and passengers from the MV Tokelau]]
Tokelau is served by the MV Tokelau, owned by the country, with the trip from [[Apia]] taking a little over a day. Ships load and unload cargo by motoring up to the down-wind ([[leeward]]) side of the islet where the people live and maintaining station, by intermittent use of engines, close to the reef edge so that a landing barge can be motored out to transfer cargo to or from the shore. On returning to shore, the barge negotiates a narrow channel through the reef to the beach. Usually this landing is subject to ocean swell and beaching requires considerable skill and, often, [[coral]] abrasions to bodies.
When bad weather prevents the barge making the trip, the ship stands off to wait suitable weather or goes off to one of the other atolls to attempt to load or unload its passengers or cargo, or both.
[[Cyclone Percy]] struck and severely damaged Tokelau in late February and early March of 2005. Forecasters underestimated the cyclone's strength and the length of time it would be in vicinity to Tokelau. It coincided with a spring [[tide]] which put most of the area of the two villages on Fakaofo and Nukunonu under a metre of seawater. The cyclone also caused major [[erosion]] on several islets of all three atolls, damaging roads and bridges and disrupting electric power and telecommunications systems. The cyclone did significant and widespread damage to food crops including [[banana]]s, [[coconut]]s and [[pandanus]]. It did not seriously injure anyone but villagers lost significant amounts of property. The geographic future of Tokelau depends on the height of the ocean. No significant land is more than two metres above [[high water]] of ordinary tides. This means Tokelau is particularly vulnerable to any possible [[sea level rise]]s caused by [[global warming]].
==Books and Publications==
*''Tokelau: a historical ethnography'' by Judith Huntsman & Antony Hooper (1996, Auckland University Press) ISBN 1869401530
*''The Future of Tokelau: decolonising agendas'' by Judith Huntsman with Kelihiano Kalolo (2007, Auckland University Press) ISBN 9781869403980
*''Tokelau'' by Peter McQuarrie (2008)
==See also==
*[[Music of Tokelau]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
{{refend}}
==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Tokelau}}
*[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-MacToke.html Ethnology of Tokelau Islands]
*[http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Tokelau.html History, culture, and economy of Tokelau]
*[http://www.tokelau.org.nz/ Tokelau Council of Ongoing Government], executive branch of the government
*[http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/Pacific/Tokelau/index.php The Administrator of Tokelau], Tokelau website of the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tl.html CIA World Factbook entry for Tokelau]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Oceania/Tokelau Open Directory Project— ''Tokelau'' ODP Tokelau category]
*[http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2004/june/06-02-fea.htm 'Tokelau wonders, "What have we done wrong?"']
===Atoll links===
*[http://www.fakaofo.tk/ Fakaofo]
*[http://www.nukunonu.tk/ Nukunonu]
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[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
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[[Category:Tokelau| ]]
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