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Tokelau - People

Tokelau's population was 1,383 by the December 2013 population count, with relatively large dependent groups-older and younger people, because younger people and those with young children tend to emigrate to pursue better employment and education opportunities overseas. There is a significant population gap in the 25-34 age groups. All Tokelauans have New Zealand citizenship and 7,173 people indicating full or partial Tokelauan descent live in New Zealand (2013 NZ Census).

The 2016 Tokelau Census of Population and Dwellings was held on 18 October 2016. The "de jure usually resident population count" was a total of 1,499 people, versus 1,411 in 2011.

Tokelau maintains strong social cohesion, active traditions and a strong communal culture, which places considerable emphasis on collective effort and reward. Tokelauan is the main language used, then Samoan, English and Tuvaluan. English is taught as a second language and is widely understood. On Atafu the majority of people belong to the Ekalehia Fakalapotopotoga Kelihiano Tokelau (EFKT) while on Nukunonu virtually the entire population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. On Fakaofo both churches are represented with the EFKT having the largest following.

Tokelauans are citizens of New Zealand which gives them free right of access to that country. In the mid-1960s the New Zealand government became concerned that Tokelau’s growing population would crowd the small islands. Emigration to New Zealand was encouraged under the Tokelau Islands Resettlement Scheme introduced in 1966. The scheme helped over 500 people emigrate. The scheme was suspended in 1976 when the population stabilised. Many families migrated to New Zealand and later sponsored others who wanted to emigrate. After 1976 immigration dropped, but the birth rate of Tokelauans in New Zealand swelled the population. By 2013 there were 7,176 in New Zealand, compared to 1,383 living in Tokelau. Currently other small communities can be found in Samoa, American Samoa, Australia and Hawai'i.

In 2013, 32% of Tokelauans could speak the language (down from 44% in 2001), with those born in Tokelau twice as likely to be fluent. Tokelauan is often spoken at home and at association and club meetings. Since 1976 Tokelauan learning materials have been available in some schools. In the 2000s the Porirua Mafutaga Tupulaga Tokelau held evening homework classes that included an element on Tokelauan culture. Matiti Tokelau Akoga Kamata – a language nest for Tokelauan children – also served the Hutt Valley community. Fakaofo lies 9' 38'S and 171' 25'W, and is the southernmost atoll of Tokelau. It consists of 62 islets measuring 4sq kms and its lagoon is 50sq km. According to the 2006 Census, Fakaofo has a population of 483 with 29% being between 10 -19 years of age. There are two settlements on Fakaofo. Fale the main settlement is towards the western side of the atoll, housing the majority of the population. Two kilometres to the west of Fale is the relatively larger Fenuafala where a second settlement was established in 1960 to relieve the growing population. Fenuafala is now also home to the Fakaofo hospital, Tialeniu School as well as Teletok, Tokelau's telecommunications provider. Fakaofo has three churches to cater for its two practising religions, Catholic and Protestants. Of its total population 70% are Protestants and 22% are Catholics. The Taupulega is the governing body on Fakaofo and it is made up of invited toeainas - elders.

On the atoll of Nukunonu, there are two main settlements: Fale (Village) and Motuhaga. These two settlements are joined together by a "concrete Bridge." Beautifully situated on the southern-western edge of the lagoon, the landscape of Fale (Village) settlement is uniquely structured. Each house is built on a "Square" land plot where four stoned-roads surround each house. There are three main roads in the village settlement namely: Ala Gatai (Lagoon Road): Ala Loto (Middle Road): and Ala Tua (Ocean Road). Motuhaga is a recent settlement where the "St Joseph" hospital is located. According to the 2006 census 426 people live on Nukunonu; 242 men and 184 women. For the de jure usually resident population of Nukunonu there are 132 males for every 100 females. This compared with the 2001 census of 361 people on Nukunonu; 194 men and 167 women.

Atafu is composed of 42 islands and lies in lat. 8° 33’ 30" S and long. 172° 30’W. Atafu is the smallest atoll in the group extending three miles north and south and 2.5 miles east and west, and having a land area of 550 acres. The highest land of Atafu is 15 feet above sea level. The present population is around 400. Atafu was the ancient name given to the atoll by its earliest inhabitants, and these people were forced to abandon the island and some were killed during the era of warring period between the Islands of Tokelau. On June 21, 1765, Byron discovered Atafu and discovered no sign of inhabitants. Tonuia (from Fakaofo) and his wife Lagimaina (from Nukunonu) along with their seven children established Atafu. The Fale Fitu, or Seven Houses signifies Atafu because of their ancestral origin. The Presbyterian Church is the only church in Atafu since its introduction by Faivalua in 1858.

To some extent the inhabitants retain cultural ties with Samoa but there are also strong links with Tuvalu where the culture is distinctly moulded by the atoll environment. There are linguistic and family ties with both countries. Faka-Tokelau, the Tokelauan way of life, is centred on family and community. There is a complex social and economic order based on the values of community and sharing which remains strong despite the pressure of external influences. Village affairs are conducted by a council of elders consisting of representatives of the families.

The people of Atafu live in one village which occupies part of a motu (reef-bound islet). On Nukunonu the village occupies about half of one motu which is connected by a bridge to a neighboring motu where some families have settled. The village on Fakaofo is on a small but comparatively high motu. It is overcrowded although emigration to New Zealand alleviates the problem. Fakaofo has a second more recently established village, Fenuafala, on a larger nearby motu where the school, the hospital and other facilities are now located. A government subsidised housing programme operates on all three atolls. The scheme, which encourages the use of imported building materials, is very popular and the number of houses constructed out of traditional materials is diminishing.

Village health services have improved. However, with the exception of a few localized issues (eg skin diseases) overall the health outcomes have declined. There is no evidence to suggest public education programs have been effective and or links between sectors to address health established. Outside the Department of Health, there is little understanding (even among many of the village based health professionals) of the seriousness of Tokelau’s situation in relation to non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Life was not always easy in the tropical paradise, with limited resources for a growing population, and frequent battering by tropical cyclones. There has been an extremely high suicide prevalence in Tokelau since at least aroun 1980. Attempted suicide rate of 40/1500 (and fatal suicide rate of 6/1500 (1980-2004) with increasing trend in recent years. With consideration of the small population of 1500, these rates are quite devastating. Attempted suicide was higher among Male (65%) than Female, thou there was a 1:1 ratio between genders in fatal suicides. Suicide was highest among the younger population (14-25) years old. Eighty three percent (83%) of fatalities were below the age of 25 and 67% were below the age of 20. Sixty seven percent (67%) of fatal cases were reported in Fakaofo and none was reported in Nukunonu. The most common method of suicide was hanging (40% of attempted cases, 83% of fatal cases hung themselves).

Several factors could have caused or contributed to suicidal behaviours in Tokelau. These included: failure within family relationships between parents and children; relationships problems such as marriage breakdown; boyfriend-girlfriend relationship problems; people gossiping and public humiliation; lost of loved ones, lost of status within the community; ashamed or afraid because they had done something wrong/unacceptable; depressed, bored; or anger; and failure in school examination.