stuff
Tokelau is only accessible by a 24-hour boat trip from Samoa, which runs fortnightly.
Tokelau is one step closer to getting its first airport, with the tenders for the project finally out after delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand agreed to fund the runway, which will be built in 2019 on Tokelau’s largest atoll, Nukunonu.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said an open tender for a contractor early engagement service has now been published.
The tender was for one supplier who would be willing to work with the Taupulega (the Council of Elders who govern their atoll), deploy local labor and provide training to develop local knowledge and skills.
READ MORE:
* Top diplomat caught Covid-19 on overseas trade trip
* NZ diplomats line up for MIQ on return home
* Covid-19: Tokelau’s Pfizer Vaccine Rollout Begins
They would have expertise to advise on buildability, logistics, scheduling, construction planning, cost, programming and risk management.
Tokelau, a remote group of atolls in the South Pacific comprising Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo, is a dependent territory of New Zealand.
It has a population of about 1500 people. About 8,000 Tokelauans still live in New Zealand.
It is only accessible by a 24-hour boat trip from Samoa, which runs fortnightly and costs $306 for a round trip.
DEFENCE
Covid-19 vaccines are delivered by New Zealand naval personnel to remote atolls in Tokelau. (First published in July 2021)
Traveling to Tokelau from New Zealand begins with a four-hour flight from Auckland to Apia, then a day to sail to the nearest atoll, Fakaofo.
It’s another three and a half hours to Nukunonu and another six hours to the furthest atoll, Atafu.
Tokelau has no established tourist industry, most visitors are Tokelauans or from Tokelauans who come from New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii.
Feasibility studies in 2010 showed that providing reliable, frequent air service from Apia would meet the needs of the current population, as well as the extended overseas community, “possibly 20,000 in total worldwide”.
It would take nearly two years to complete a tarmac runway and international airport infrastructure, and the cost was estimated at $20.73 million.
The MFAT spokesman said a scheduled service to Tokelau needs an aircraft that can fly to and from the atolls economically and safely.
“Further demand analysis and consultation with both Tokelau and service providers is required once the borders open.
“The initial demand analysis indicates that a 20-seat aircraft would be sufficient,” they said.
Concept designs for the airport would be part of the registration process.
MFAT said project progress was delayed due to Covid-19, but technical advisors were on hand to visit Tokelau to complete technical assessments when border restrictions allowed.
“The coastal and low-lying nature of the site makes it vulnerable to flooding, as such research into projected sea level rise and flood risk will be an important design consideration.”
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said it was exciting to hear that Tokelau is finally getting an airport.
“It is too early to comment at this stage, but it is unlikely that we would fly to Tokelau with Samoa nearby.”