Tokelau census taken, despite disruption caused by water shortage

On Tuesday, 18 October 2011, in the midst of a national emergency caused by a shortage of fresh water, Tokelau successfully held its five-yearly population census, revealing a provisional census night population of 1,205.

The provisional census night count was released today by Statistics New Zealand and the Tokelau Statistics Unit.

This figure compares with the final 2006 Tokelau census night population count of 1,151 people. The census night population has increased by 5 percent.

The largest growth was recorded in Fakaofo, one of Tokelau’s three atolls, where the census night population has provisionally increased by 19 percent to 486. See more results from Provisional count: 2011 Tokelau census night population.

Statistics NZ worked very closely with the Office for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau during the emergency to ensure the census was undertaken with as little impact on the water situation as possible.

“The census is very important to Tokelau and New Zealand, to help with planning and development,” 2011 Tokelau Census manager, Kele Lui, said. “It is situations like the water shortage where having accurate information is vital.”

A count of people who usually live in Tokelau will be released in December 2011.