Political status and decolonisation
Per the catalogue's instruction to distinguish free association and independence questions, this bundle documents Tokelau's history as a New Zealand territory and the two UN-supervised self-determination referendums (2006, 2007), which proposed a change to self-governing free-association status with New Zealand, similar to the Cook Islands and Niue — not independent statehood. Both referendums fell short of the required two-thirds majority, so Tokelau's status as a New Zealand territory has not changed.
Tokelau was brought under New Zealand administration in 1926 and formally became part of New Zealand in 1949 under the Tokelau Act 1948.[1] A UN-supervised referendum held 11-15 February 2006 asked Tokelauans whether to change status to a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand; 60% voted in favour, short of the required two-thirds majority.[2] A second referendum, held 20-24 October 2007, again proposed free-association status; 64.4% voted in favour, falling short by just 16 votes.[3] On both occasions, Tokelau's status as a New Zealand territory did not change.
Status verified as of
Tokelau remains a territory of New Zealand. Two UN-supervised referendums on free-association status (2006, 2007) both fell short of the required two-thirds majority, and no further referendum has been held since. This is a free-association question, not an independence claim.[3]
History
From 1926 New Zealand administration through the 2006 and 2007 free-association referendums.
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· Referendum or popular consultation
Tokelauans voted 60% in favour of free association, short of the required two-thirds majority.
Significance here: The first UN-supervised test of Tokelau's proposed free-association status.
· Referendum or popular consultation
A second referendum again fell short of the two-thirds threshold, by just 16 votes.
Significance here: The second and, to date, final UN-supervised test of Tokelau's proposed free-association status.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: Tokelau was brought under New Zealand administration in 1926 and formally became part of New Zealand in 1949 under the Tokelau Act 1948.
Claim: A UN-supervised referendum held 11-15 February 2006 asked Tokelauans whether to change status to a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, similar to the Cook Islands and Niue, not independent statehood; 60% voted in favour, short of the required two-thirds majority, so Tokelau's status as a New Zealand territory did not change.
Claim: A second referendum, held 20-24 October 2007, again proposed free-association status; 64.4% voted in favour, falling short of the required two-thirds majority by 16 votes, and Tokelau's status as a New Zealand territory again did not change.