Tokelauan self-determination referendum, 2006
In the referenda on self-determination Tokelau less than 1,500 residents of Tokelau should decide whether to continue a dependent territory of New Zealand or a self-governing state wanted to be in free association with New Zealand. Since the necessary two -thirds majority was missed in both polls, Tokelau remains a dependent territory.
- 2.1 Result
First referendum
The first referendum took place from 11 February to 15 February 2006 under the supervision of the UN instead .. Although 60 percent of the residents spoke out for independence along the lines of the Cook Islands and Niue, the referendum as it is not the required two was rejected, -thirds majority reached. However, would, according to the Administrator of Tokelau, the representative of Tokelau in New Zealand, also means accepting little more than a formal step. Tokelau is administered by the local population largely independently. Such was also the main argument of opponents of the Associate status that this would simply mean an absence of New Zealand grants.
The question which had to answer the voters was: "The Proposal. Tokelau fact 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: "Suggestion: Tokelau is a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand are based on the Constitution and a Contract Proposal " )
Result
Second referendum
The second self-determination referendum was held until October 24, 2007 of October 20.
Shortly after the referendum, the then Faipule announced (a kind of president of all three atolls ) Pio Tuia that in a few years a new vote was possible. His successor Kolouei O'Brien announced in June 2006 that the Parliament of Tokelau had agreed to a new poll for late 2007/early 2008.
The referendum took place from either logistical reasons on several days:
- October 20: Apia, Samoa ( for the community of foreign Stoke Lauer on Samoa)
- October 22: Fakaofo
- October 23: Nukunonu
- October 24: Atafu
Result
Again the necessary 2/3-majority was missed, but this time only by 16 votes. As a result of the referendum, it was the status quo.