POLITICAL REVIEW • POLYNESIA 2°5 son), both ofthem incumbents. Lady that Niueans begin to pay for govern­ Rex gained 483 votes, sufficient to ment services. However, this raises the retain her seat and finish third in the possibility that Niueans removed from balloting, but a decline of IO percent the public service (the island's largest from her top-polling victory of1987. employer) or adversely affected by Robert Rex, Jr received 396 votes to market-led policies might simply emi­ take fourth position, 13 votes more grate. On the other hand, the April than the NPAP'S Sani Lakatani. Leading 1990 decision to pay 50 percent of New the field was O'love Tauveve Jacobsen, Zealand superannuation benefits to a nurse first elected at a November persons living outside New Zealand for 1988 by-election, and regarded as polit­ six months or longer may encourage ically independent of the various fac­ eligible Niueans to return to . tions. Other developments foreshadowed by Initially Sir Robert Rex's survival as the Niue Concerted Action Plan, such premier seemed in doubt, but he as a land-title review, were being expe­ broadened his support by including dited where possible. one ofthe opposition factions in his STEPHEN LEVINE four-member cabinet. Only one cabi­ net member, Frank Lui, was reap­ pointed-Robert Rex, Jr lost his minis­ terial position as well as his house -while NPAP leader and first-time ofFebruary 1990 was the member Sani Lakatani became minister most important event for Tokelau dur­ of finance. Following the political ing the period under review. Following reshuffling, however, the principal Cyclone Tusi (and a tsunami a fort­ challenges to the Niue government night later) in 1987, the vulnerability of remain substantially unchanged. the low-lying atoll environment has Prospects continue to depend on been demonstrated in the strongest constructive collaboration with New possible manner. Without substantial Zealand-whose aid package now rep­ external assistance it may be years resents roughly NZ$5000 per Niuean before the villages can recover to their resident-and mobilizing what remains pre-cyclone state, while outer islets will of the island's economy. Efforts to rein­ probably never return to their former troduce a sophisticated air service have condition. led to plans to upgrade the island's air­ No feature of organized life on the port. Air New Zealand has concluded islands was unaffected. Twenty-two that a Niue stopover would be uneco­ houses were completely destroyed, and nomic, and prospects for renewed air a further ninety-one were severely links appear to rest with one ofthe damaged. Vital seawalls, protecting smaller regional carriers. the fragile Tokelauan land base from In mid-1989 the New Zealand minis­ erosion, were washed away. Fishing ter of external relations and trade sug­ equipment, water tanks, sea latrines, gested not only that the public service and cooking houses were lost, and might be reduced by two-thirds, but food supplies decimated. About 80 per- USM

206 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC. SPRING 1991

cent of the breadfruit and coconut trees diseases expected as a result ofwater, were destroyed or damaged. hygiene, and food-supply problems. The Apia-based Office for Tokelau Tokelauans in New Zealand were Affairs (OTA) issued a preliminary requested to return to assist with recov­ assessment of the costs for recovery at eryoperations. Nz$3.95 million. But OTA'S figure did In March 1990 former New Zealand not include all forms of damage, and public servant Geoff Parkinson carried other estimates ranged much higher. out an assessment ofthe Tokelau Pub­ For example, the damage to the physi­ lic Service and reported on the steps cal character of one atoll, Nukunonu, necessary to promote cyclone recovery. was assessed at NZ$22 million. A month later, the General Fono met In the wake of the storm, the Royal on in the presence of the Wel­ New Zealand Air Force delivered lington-based administrator, Neil D. urgently needed supplies via airdrop Walter. As well as the cyclone damage, (there are no airstrips on any ofthe the forty-five delegates (fifteen from atolls), and further assistance arrived each atoll) discussed shipping needs. later by sea. Even so, delays in assisting There are plans to replace the vessel the atolls-a week passed before the used between Tokelau and Apia and to airdrop took place-are likely to lead build a new interatoll vessel, expected to new disaster preparedness and relief to be in service byJune 1991. The dele­ procedures. gates also discussed moves to improve While acknowledging New Zea­ coordination between the Tokelau land's support, each island's council of Public Service and the Tokelauan com­ elders (taupulega) was adamant about munity. Administrative authority has the need for more substantial mea­ increasingly been delegated by Wel­ sures. Because of its political status, lington to Apia-based officers, and bas­ Tokelau cannot expect to receive sig­ ing the public service in Tokelau itself nificant support from other donors, is likely to be the next step. and the recovery program is essentially New Zealand allocated some an internal New Zealand management NZ$1.2 million for cyclone recovery in problem. Tokelau's requests envisaged addition to its existing development a substantial and sustained New grants and budgetary assistance of Zealand Army engineer presence. One approximately NZ$4 million annually. proposal involves teams equipped with In February 1990 a proposal to intro­ bulldozers and trucks spending ap­ duce a new funding arrangement, mod­ proximately four weeks on each atoll. eled on 's trust-fund concept, Agreed priorities include reconstruc­ was politely criticized by OTA, which tion of housing and seawalls, channel later recommended that current ar­ clearance, repairs to stores and other rangements continue. These recom­ government buildings, and replanting mendations were predicated on a view of damaged trees and crops. Additional ofTokelau as an entity "not seeking to medical supplies were delivered in be independent" and feeling no "stigma anticipation ofthe increased number of from the international community" as diarrheal, respiratory, and nutritional a result of its present political status. POLITICAL REVIEW • POLYNESIA 2°7

OTA was concerned that "limited eco­ violating human rights," and that the nomic independence could encourage New Zealand government could not be Tokelau to entertain illusions of politi­ accused of "hindering our path cal independence," illusions happily towards self-determination." In devel­ dispelled by "living under the economic oping its own approach to the dilem­ and political umbrella of New Zea­ mas of development and self-rule, land." Tokelau looked to the committee for These observations notwithstand­ "understanding and patience." Never­ ing, New Zealand remains committed theless, constructive moves toward the to assisting Tokelau mov!:; toward a assumption of greater political author­ greater degree ofself-government and ity by Tokelauans were identified for economic self-sufficiency, not least the committee's benefit. because of the remote supervisory scru­ The Tokelauan representative also tiny of the United Nations. On 26-27 seized a rare opportunity to speak out April 1990, a Tokelauan member of on international issues. He spoke of New Zealand's ministry ofexternal threats to the Pacific environment such relations and trade, Falani Aukuso, as driftnet fishing, the dumping of reported to the UN Committee on toxic and nuclear waste, climate Decolonization "on behalf of the change, and nuclear testing, and Faipule and the people ofTokelau." alluded to a sense of powerlessness This was only the second time that the when confronting depredations committee had been addressed by a brought about by the actions of"more "special representative" of Tokelau, the 'advanced' countries." Tokelau's vul­ first having been in June 1987. nerability was poignantly expressed: Reiterating what Tokelau's elected "We are a tiny dot.... Nevertheless leadership had said at ceremonies in we do exist, and we do have a voice. New Zealand commemorating the one ... Ifwe are to believe our knowl­ hundred fiftieth anniversary ofthe edgeable scientists our 'voice' will dis­ signing of the Treaty ofWaitangi, appear forever in 50 years time. We Aukuso's statement indicated that have no one else to turn to but the Gov­ Tokelau's "partnership" with New ernment ofNew Zealand and the \ Zealand "feels right and we wish [it] to United Nations." continue." He reported that thefaipule, Triennial elections were held in Feb­ Tokelau's three elected island leaders, ruary 1990 for the three faipule and had taken the opportunity "to renew three pulenuku 'village mayor' posi­ and reaffirm the wishes of the people of tions, and a new group of Tokelauan Tokelau to remain and keep on the community leaders emerged. On 'special relationship' that currently Fakaofo (whose island council gives exists." While not challenging New somewhat greater authority to the Zealand's responsibilities to the United elders) both thefaipule (Peni Semisi) Nations, the testimony nonetheless and the pulenuku (Lui Kelekolio) were noted that "unlike other countries, reelected, but new representatives were Tokelau has not been 'colonised'," that elected on the other two atolls. Atafu "New Zealand cannot be accused of reelected itsfaipule (Kuresa Nasau) but 208 THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC· SPRING 1991

chose a new pulenuku, Paulo Kitiona, University of . Matters came to very popular with the aumaga (village a head on 14 August 1989, when the workforce) and a young graduate of professor ofSamoan language and cul­ the University of the South Pacific. On ture, Dr Aiono Fanaafi, Le Tagaloa, Nukunonu (the more lightly populated was summarily dismissed by vice chan­ of the three atolls), new leaders, Mika cellor Tauiliili Uili (ST, 25 Aug 1990). Koloi (pulenuku) and Salesio Lui Critics charged that she was ousted (faipule), were selected. because of her association with the The choice of Lui, a man in his mid­ opposition party, and that the minister thirties, as faipule represented a partic­ for education and chairman ofthe uni­ ularly notable departure for a commu­ versity council, Patu Afaese, was nity that has always lodged authority behind the sacking. and decision-making power with elders Although Dr Aiono sought a and older heads of families. A graduate supreme court injunction and was rein­ in political science from the University stated a week later, the University Lec­ of the South Pacific and a school­ turers' Association and some members teacher, Lui's perceived strengths ofthe university senate charged the include an understanding of the public vice chancellor with mismanagement service and an ability to articulate when the university council met in alternative policies and perspectives at October 1989. The council responded both island council meetings and the by setting up a subcommittee, includ­ General Fono. It seems clear that some ing Professor Colin Aikman of New Tokelauans wish not only to enhance Zealand, to investigate (ST, 6 Oct traditional authority but also to ad­ 1989). The vice chancellor himself vance individuals with the skills and responded by suing both the lecturers' confidence to represent them in ex­ association and the senate petitioners changes with New Zealanders, their on the grounds of character defama­ own public servants, and the interna­ tion (ST, 17 Nov 1989). tional community. The subcommittee submitted its

STEPHEN LEVINE report in November 1989. However, the university's executive council went into a long recess, and was not con­ vened again until early in August 1990. WESTERN SAMOA When the report eventually came up In January 1990, the academic world for discussion, chair Patu Afaese was shocked when a principal inform­ insisted that things were back to nor­ ant ofMargaret Mead, Fa'apu'a mal on campus and that everyone Fa'amu, admitted that she and other should now forget about the past. teenage girls had fabricated stories Over the hill from the university, the about lovers in 1926 to tease and long-standing and bitter confrontation humor the young American anthropol­ between the nurses association and ogist (50,3 Jan 1990). Meanwhile, an Director-General of Health Dr Walter academic controversy of a different Vermeullen continued. In early August kind continued to rage at the National 1989, a commission of inquiry recom-