Tokelau voters reject self-rule
{{date|February 16, 2006}}

The people of [[Tokelau]] have rejected greater independence from [[New Zealand]] in a referendum held this week. 60% of the eligible voters voted "yes" to become an independent state in free association with New Zealand, but this failed to reach the two thirds support required to take effect. The turnout for the referendum was high, reaching almost 95% of registered voters.

Tokelau, a 12 square-kilometre archipelago with a population of 1,500, consists of three islands that do not have roads, an airport or a capital. It is a dependent territory of New Zealand, but New Zealand's Prime Minister said Tokelau is already "exercising virtually all the responsibilities of a self governing country". According to the [[UN]] and New Zealand, Tokelau would have relied heavily on New Zealand for financial assistance even if independence had been chosen.

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==Sources==

*{{source|url=http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/artikkeli/Maailmaan+ei+syntynyt+uutta+valtiota/1135218790625|title=Maailmaan ei syntynyt uutta valtiota|author=|pub=Helsingin Sanomat|date=February 16, 2006.
|lang=fi
|brokenURL=true
}}

*{{source|url=http://seven.com.au/news/topstories/144762|title=Tiny Tokelau votes to stay a NZ colony|author=David Brooks|pub=Seven News|date=February 16, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411415/661377|title=Tokelau rejects self-rule|author=|pub=TVNZ|date=February 16, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=14384&cid=5&cname=Asia%20&%20Pacific|
title=Free association referendum fails in Tokelau|author=|
pub=National Business Review|date=February 16, 2006}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:New Zealand]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Tokelau]]
[[Category:Polynesia]]

[[nl:Tokelau verwerpt zelfstandigheid]]
The people of Tokelau have rejected greater independence from New Zealand in a referendum held this week. 60% of the eligible voters voted "yes" to become an independent state in free association with New Zealand, but this failed to reach the two thirds support required to take effect. The turnout for the referendum was high, reaching almost 95% of registered voters.

Tokelau, a 12 square-kilometre archipelago with a population of 1,500, consists of three islands that do not have roads, an airport or a capital. It is a dependent territory of New Zealand, but New Zealand's Prime Minister said Tokelau is already "exercising virtually all the responsibilities of a self governing country". According to the UN and New Zealand, Tokelau would have relied heavily on New Zealand for financial assistance even if independence had been chosen.


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Politics and conflicts New Zealand Oceania Tokelau Polynesia