A trip to remote Tokelau - Life a few metres above sea level
Kate Whitley and team from Te Papa go to Tokelau.
Atoll - group of small islands
Te Papa - the museum of New Zealand
The Pacific island nation of Tokelau is one of the most remote places on the planet. It is only metres above sea level, so it is under threat from climate change.
In November 2017 a small group from Te Papa travelled to Tokelau, a group of three, low-lying, coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean. Our task was to collect cultural objects and knowledge and stories, to record them for the future. The community selected objects which reflect their culture. The project will explore how these communities live with and respond to climate change, and explore local knowledge.
Our team set off from Apia, Samoa, on board the Mataliki.
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The MV Mataliki. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Sleeping on the Mataliki. Photograph by Kate Whitley.
Te Papa Te Papa
The ship delivers valuable supplies to Tokelau as well as ferrying passengers. Some of the young people on board were returning home for Christmas from Fiji, where they are studying at the University of the South Pacific. For the students, it's a once-a-year trip and they are happy as they return home to family in Tokelau.
On the ship the locals rushed to the mattresses on deck. Many of them spent most of the trip snoozing there in their brightly coloured lavalava. Life on the ocean had many challenges. Showering or using the bathrooms was hard, as the ship was rolling. At mealtimes the ship's crew carried a huge teapot full of Milo for the passengers.
As the islands of Samoa faded into the distance, we saw endless ocean, with only a few seabirds.
Atafu atoll, Tokelau. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
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Atafu atoll at low tide, the protective seawall visible at the foot of coconut palms. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
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After more than 24 hours at sea, we saw a small, low-lying atoll. It was the first of three atolls that make up the New Zealand territory Tokelau. It's hard to see how the people of Tokelau cope with storms and rising sea levels. The highest land is only 3 - 5 metres above sea level. On the atolls in some places only a football pitch-sized strip of land separates the sea from the lagoon.
Even though the atolls are remote, they have developed villages, including a hospital and large school on one island. To resist the increasing storms sea-walls are being built around parts of the atolls. Even so, locals say that waves can wash right over the island to the lagoon, damaging crops and buildings. In some areas, houses are raised on stilts with rainwater tanks beneath.
Once on the island we met with the members of the community, who talked about what is being done to live with climate change. They had selected objects for us to bring back to Te Papa.
Tokelauans are warm, welcoming people who are keen to share their stories. They proudly told us of the efforts to resist the sea with the sea walls. They talked of the huge change to life the solar power station has made, with electricity being available 24/7. The houses feature televisions, computers, and fridges - all made possible due to constant electricity.
Tokelauans are warm, welcoming people who are keen to share their stories. They proudly told us of the efforts to resist the sea with the sea walls. They talked of the huge change to life the solar power station has made, with electricity being available 24/7. The houses feature televisions, computers, and fridges - all made possible due to constant electricity.
Atafu atoll, Tokelau. Photograph by and courtesy of Andrew Matautia
Tokelauans remain positive about their future in spite of predictions of rising sea levels, which would spell disaster for the atolls. Some local students are worried about their future, though. What will the future look like for Tokelauans and their children? The day we visited the sea was calm, but the sea walls only seem to be a short-term measure against a huge problem. Perhaps this notice on the side of a building in Atafu is for us all: “Clean Environment is the only way to survive.”
‘Clean environment is the only way to survive’. Photograph by Kate Whitley. Te Papa
Original article: http://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2018/01/11/a-trip-to-remote-tokelau-life-a-few-metres-above-sea-level/
Activity Use the reading article to answer the following questions.
- How many atolls are there in Tokelau? __3__
- Some young people from Tokelau study at the University of the South Pacific. Where is this university? ___they will either go to new zealand or ausralia____
- Which drink that Kiwis like do Tokelauans drink aboard the ship, the MV Mataliki? ___milo___
- How high is the highest land in Tokelau? ________________5 meters high_________________________
- What efforts has Tokelau made to resist the increasing storms?
_________________________________________ - Does Tokelau have a hospital? __no___
- Modernisation is happening in Tokelau. What does the solar power station make 24/7?
______________ - What modern features has electricity made possible in the houses?
_________________________________
Write a Blog
Imagine you are a student travelling back to your homeland Tokelau on the boat trip after you have completed your studies. Write a diary entry describing your trip back home and how you are feeling about your future.
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