Residents of the tiny South Pacific territory of Tokelau began voting on Saturday in a referendum to decide whether to become one of the smallest self-governing states in the world.
The three small atolls, whose only transport link is a 500km ship journey from Samoa, are deciding whether to end their status as New Zealand's last South Pacific colony.
A total of 90 voters -- mostly public servants, students and medical patients temporarily away from Tokelau -- voted in the Samoan capital Apia, before the referendum moves to the atolls on successive days from today.
Altogether, a total of 615 voters have registered for the ballot on whether to end 80 years of New Zealand administration of the islands, which have a land area of just 12.2km2 and lie roughly midway between New Zealand and Hawaii.
Voter Elisa Wright, 66, from the atoll of Nukunonu, said after voting she was happy to have the chance to take part in the referendum and added she supported the move to self-government for the islands' 1,500 people.
"Nukunonu wants to say yes," said Wright, who was in Apia with her husband, who is receiving hospital treatment.
New Zealand and Tokelau officials were unwilling to predict the outcome of the referendum, which needs a two-thirds majority to pass. Some Tokelauans fear the move could lead to their islands being cast adrift by New Zealand, which currently funds about 80 percent of the islands' annual budget.
"Some still question whether this is the right time," said Apia-based Falani Aukuso, who heads Tokelau's government service.
New Zealand has tried to calm the fears by promising to maintain living standards on the islands under a treaty of free association, which would come into effect if the islands vote for self-government.
After voting in Apia on Saturday, voting officials and a team of UN observers will make the 28-hour ship journey to Tokelau, where voting will be held on Atafu atoll today, followed by Nukunonu and Fakaofo on successive days. Results are expected to be known late on Wednesday.
The road to ending the territory's colonial status started 30 years ago with a UN fact-finding mission.
It stepped into higher gear two years ago when the Tokelauan representative body, the General Fono, decided to investigate the option of self-government in free association with New Zealand.
New Zealand administrator Neil Walter has denied any suggestion the move to cut the colonial links is being driven by New Zealand's desire to respond to UN pressure for decolonization.
"This has been totally a Tokelau-driven process," he said, citing the unanimous vote by the General Fono two years ago.
Because New Zealand will still be responsible for Tokelau's defense under self-government, the tiny state will not be able to join the UN but it will be eligible for many other international organizations.
A competition is being held for a flag and national anthem and symbol to be adopted if the referendum is passed.
The formal transfer of power will take place later in the year, possibly in July, if it is passed, Aukuso said.
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