11 Jan 2006

Preparations underway in Tokelau for Self-Determination vote

2:18 pm on 11 January 2006

Preparations are underway in Tokelau for next month's vote on the upcoming referendum on Self Determination.

The vote which will take place between the 11 and 15 of February under United Nations supervision will decide the New Zealand colony's political future.

People will also be able to cast their vote in Apia Samoa for special overseas votes.

The New Zealand administrator for Tokelau Neil Walter says just over 600 voters are registered to vote.

He says preparations are well underway.

"Preparing, making sure that all the right equipment is in the right places on all three atolls, and electoral officers appointed on all atolls know their duties, and I think they are conducting a trial run in fact on each of the atolls, and there's still discussions going on and consultation with the package."

The New Zealand administrator for Tokelau, Neil Walter.

In 2003, Tokelau's General Fono had decided it would explore self-determination on the basis of free association with New Zealand, that would be governed by a Treaty.