GENERAL INFORMATION

One of the worlds smallest and most isolated are the Tokelau Islands, one of the last remaining dependencies of New Zealand.

The Tokelaus consist of three atolls - Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu, with 64 to 92 kilometres separating them.  No atoll is more than 200 metres wide, and the highest point is 5 metres above sea level.  The Tokelaus are situated in the Pacific, 480km north of Western Samoa, a sea journey of 36 hours via a cargo ship that delivers supplies every few months, the only available means of travelling to and from the Islands.  So remote are the Tokelau Islands that there is no tourist industry, no hotels, no airports, and up until very recently, no telecommunications.  The population is approximately 1600, with more than 4000 living abroad, mostly in New Zealand.

New Zealand inherited the responsibility for administering Tokelau from Britain in 1925, and in 1948 Tokelau was officially incorporated as part of New Zealand, with an administrator based in Wellington.  Recently, some authority has been moved back to the Tokelau, with the placement of Tokelauan public servants on each atoll, who liaise with local political institutions, namely the General Fono or the Council of Faipule (which consist of the atoll elders).  Stamp sales to collectors are an important part of the export earnings of Tokelau, which have a community based economy.

In 1993 the contract to run the Philatelic Bureau was awarded to J R Mowbray (Philatelist), and is based in Wellington, New Zealand.  Although stamps are sold on all atolls in Tokelau, all enquiries should be directed to the Bureau at P O Box 68, Wellington, New Zealand.

The stamp issuing policy of Tokelau is very conservative, releasing around four to five issues a year.  Only world class artists are commissioned to ensure that each issue maintains the high standard set by the Tokelau Philatelic Bureau.