2006 Tokelauan self-determination referendum

A self-determination referendum was held in Tokelau between 11 and 15 February 2006, supervised by the United Nations, The proposal would have changed Tokelau's status from an unincorporated New Zealand territory to a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand, akin to the Cook Islands and Niue. However, although 60% of voters voted in favour, a two-thirds majority was required for the proposal to succeed.

2006 Tokelauan self-determination referendum
11–15 February 2006 (2006-02-11 – 2006-02-15)
Do you agree that Tokelau become a self-governing state in Free Association with New Zealand on the basis of the Constitution and as in the draft Treaty notified to Tokelau?
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 349 60.07%
No 232 39.93%
Valid votes 581 99.49%
Invalid or blank votes 3 0.51%
Total votes 584 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 615 94.96%
Politics of Tokelau
  • Other countries

The majority of Tokelauans reside in New Zealand, and were ineligible to vote in the referendum, in line with standard practice in United Nations mandated votes on self-determination. However concerns among this community may have influenced those who were eligible to vote, thereby contributing to the referendum's failure.

The passage of the referendum would have removed Tokelau from the United Nations list of non-self-governing territories, as the Cook Islands and Niue were removed from this list when they were granted self-governance in 1965 and 1974 respectively.

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