Hon Phil Goff Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
23 March 2005
Goff meets Tokelau Council to review cyclone aid
Foreign Minister Phil Goff was updated on Tokelau's relief and reconstruction needs in the wake of Cyclone Percy when he
met the Ulu and Council for Ongoing government during his recent visit to Samoa.
"Tokelau is slowly recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Percy, which battered the atolls three weeks ago.
It was the worst cyclone to have hit Tokelau in living memory, and it will take them some time to recover," Mr Goff
said.
“The cyclone damaged sea walls and caused extensive erosion to shorelines, and damage to vegetation and the marine
environment. Infrastructure and buildings have also been damaged, and school and medical equipment destroyed.
“New Zealand has allocated up to $500,000 in relief supplies for Tokelau, covering food, medicine, drinking water,
building materials and equipment. The first shipment has been made, and a second is due to go in the next few weeks.
“The leaders expressed their appreciation for New Zealand’s generous and prompt response. Cyclones can impact severely
on small Pacific island countries but Tokelau has shown a resilience and character that will see it through the recovery
period."
Mr Goff met with the Ulu and Council late last year for talks on Tokelau’s move to self-government in free association
with New Zealand. Despite the hardship caused by the cyclone, discussions on the proposed treaty of free association are
continuing.
The Tokelauan community in New Zealand has launched its own cyclone appeal. All funds will be sent to the villages and
will be separate from the national recovery effort. Donations can be made at any branch of the BNZ.
The three atolls of Tokelau, Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu are home to 1600 people. They lie 500 kilometres north of Samoa
and are separated by up to 100 kilometres of ocean. Each atoll comprises pieces of land no more than 200 metres wide and
up to just five metres above sea level.
ENDS