By Bevan Berg

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta has today signaled what appears to be an awkward distance developing between the New Zealand and Tokelau Governments, saying this morning,

Tokelau is leading its own response to COVID-19. This includes the roll out of vaccines on each of the atolls.” – Minister Mahuta

That is a somewhat contradictory position to what had been projected recently, by Pacific Peoples Minister, Aupito William Sio, who has acknowledged his responsibility for “The Pacific Health Corridor” which provides covid information to New Zealand’s Pacific Partners.

New Zealand Director of Pacific Health Geraldine Lidstone, is understood to have been part of this week’s bipartisan delegation to Samoa led by Prime minister Jacinda Ardern to celebrate the Friendship Treaty between Samoa and New Zealand.

In a recent statement from the Minister, Sio said,

New Zealand is proud to support the Government of Tokelau with their COVID-19 response and is committed to continue working in partnership with them to meet any future needs.” – Minister Sio

Nanaia Mahuta also stated in respect of Tokelau,

“I am aware of reports that a small number of individuals who declined to receive vaccination were asked by their respective village councils to self-isolate in their own homes under the customary practice of Tunoa.”

Officials have been engaged closely with Tokelau’s leaders to try to ensure a measured and balanced approach prevailed in respect of the health and welfare needs of all people on the atolls, whilst respecting Tokelau’s traditional and cultural practices.

Aotearoa New Zealand officials have received repeated assurances from the Government of Tokelau that,

“none of the individuals concerned were being deprived of any of their basic needs. They are in their own homes, have food provided through the inati (sharing) system, have access to medical facilities and are provided with funds to enable them to communicate with family and friends.”

Previous posts in the Tokelau Category on this site follow the arduous process of working through the unfolding developments.

A previous post looks at reporting by RNZ on the position of the Tokelau Government after multiple interviews by the Daily Examiner and NZ Free platforms and Christchurch based Chantelle Baker disclosed details of the circumstances for those Tokelau residents subject to tunoa.

Information received from multiple sources across Tokelau indicates that intimidation, coercion and limits on education, religious and personal freedom are well outside of what would be demonstrably acceptable to any version of international human rights.

This is contrary to the position portrayed by NZ’s Foreign Affairs Minister this morning.

“My understanding from officials is that Tokelau leaders and communities continue to dialogue, and make progress to resolving this issue for the individuals concerned and all Tokelau residents. Our officials continue to engage closely with Tokelau’s leaders to help reach a complete solution for all affected individuals as soon as possible.”

We hope to bring you more on this later today.