23 Oct 2007

Tokelau Ulu expects voters to end colonial ties to New Zealand

11:55 am on 23 October 2007

Tokelau's Ulu is confident his people will vote to end colonial ties with New Zealand in the referendum currently underway.

Voting has been conducted in Apia for those off island for health, work or study reasons.

The ballot boxes are now being transported under police guard to the three Tokelau atolls for the three days of voting.

Ulu Kuresa Nasau says unlike the referendum held just over 18 months ago, this time people are more prepared:

"We did put in a lot of time and effort into this exercise. So I am sure everyone understand the process and it's not like the first one we had in 2006, we didn't have enough time to promote this. So my high expectation will be very short, that people who are the majority will be voting yes."

Ulu Kuresa Nasau