Tokelau Public Service – Hand-Over Of Administrative Responsibilities

On Monday, 28 May 2001, the State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, will host the members of the Council of Faipule and the Pulenuku – the Cabinet and local mayors – from Tokelau. The event will mark Tokelau’s assumption of responsibility for administering the Tokelau Public Service (TPS) after more than 30 years when the TPS has been administered from New Zealand.

Under the Tokelau Amendment Act 1967, the New Zealand State Services Commission (and later the State Services Commissioner) has administered the TPS. Since 1994, the State Services Commissioner’s role in the TPS has been effected by the Tokelau Public Service Commissioner – currently Mr Aleki Silao - who has been based in Wellington but working in Tokelau regularly.

Under legislation passed in 1999, authority for managing the TPS shifts to Tokelau from 1 July 2001. The shift is part of Tokelau’s evolution to self-government. Constitutionally, Tokelau is a territory of New Zealand, which is moving progressively to the status of a self-governing nation.

The Tokelauan legislative body, the General Fono, has passed rules under which the TPS will be administered from 1 July.

Reporters and photographers are invited to the event (Monday, 28 May 2001, State Services Commission, 100 Molesworth St, 5.00 pm) to mark the hand-over.

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