Referendums on Tokelau's self-determination
In the referendums on Tokelau's self-determination , the fewer than 1,500 residents of Tokelau were to decide whether they wanted to continue to be an area dependent on New Zealand or a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. Since the necessary two-thirds majority was not achieved in both votes, Tokelau remains a dependent area.
First referendum
The first referendum took place from February 11 to February 15, 2006 under the supervision of the UN . Although 60 percent of the population voted for independence based on the model of the Cook Islands and Niues , the referendum was rejected because it did not achieve the necessary two-thirds majority. However, according to the Administrator of Tokelau , Tokelau's representative in New Zealand, an acceptance would have meant little more than a formal step. Tokelau is largely independently administered by the local population. The main argument of the opponents of the associate status was that this would only mean the removal of New Zealand financial aid.
The question which the electorate had to answer was: "The Proposal: That Tokelau become a self governing state in Free Association with New Zealand on the basis of the Constitution and as in the draft Treaty notified to Tokelau." (Translation: "Proposal: Tokelau should become a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand on the basis of the constitution and a proposed treaty" )
Result
| Result | Absolutely | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 349 | 60.07% |
| No | 232 | 39.93% |
| All in all | 581 | 100% |
| voter turnout | 95% | |
| Eligible voters | 615 | |
| Votes cast | 584 | |
| Invalid votes | 3 |
Second referendum
The second self-determination referendum took place from October 20 to October 24, 2007.
Shortly after the first referendum, the then Faipule (a kind of president of all three atolls) Pio Tuia announced that another vote would be possible in a few years. His successor Kolouei O'Brien announced in June 2006 that Tokelau's parliament had approved a new vote for late 2007 / early 2008.
The referendum took place on several days for electoral reasons:
- October 20: Apia , Samoa (for the community of foreign tokels in Samoa)
- October 22: Fakaofo
- October 23: Nukunonu
- October 24th: Atafu
Result
Again the necessary 2/3 majority was missed, but this time only by 16 votes. As a result of the referendum, the status quo remained.
| Result | Absolutely | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 446 | 64.4% |
| No | 246 | 35.6% |
| All in all | 692 | 100% |
| voter turnout | 88.3% | |
| Eligible voters | 789 | |
| Votes cast | 697 | |
| Invalid votes | 5 |
Third referendum
According to a proposal by politician Kelihiano Kalolo, a third referendum is to be held in 2025 (as of May 2020). Approval of the implementation by Parliament, General Fono , is considered certain. For the first time, the option to vote is not to retain the current status, but only to choose independence , free association or integration in New Zealand .
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Maggie Tait: New Zealand's last colony to vote on futur. In: New Zealand Herald . February 10, 2006, accessed June 25, 2016 .
- ↑ Rt. Hon Helen Clark : Tokelau referendum does not produce a two thirds majority in favor of a change of status . New Zealand Government , February 16, 2006, archived from the original on October 17, 2007 ; accessed on September 8, 2014 (English, original website no longer available).
- ^ Antony Hooper: Is Tokelau dancing to a different tune? In: New Zealand Herald . October 10, 2007, accessed June 25, 2016 .
- ↑ Tokelau plans another referendum on self-determination. In: Radio New Zealand International. June 5, 2006, accessed June 25, 2016 .
- ^ Electoral Calendar , last accessed October 21, 2007
- ↑ Concern as veteran leader pushes for poll on Tokelau independence. RNZ, May 11, 2020.