ZK3ZK Team planning to be active from Tokelau Islands, IOTA OC - 048, around mid June 2025.
Team - Members of Rebel DX Group.
Recent DX Spots ZK3ZK
ZK3ZK Log search They will operate on HF Bands.
QSL via LOTW, ClubLog OQRS.
More information later.
Tokelau - distant islands in Pacific waters
Tokelau is the common name for a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean. In Polynesian, the name of the archipelago means “north wind”. The territory is under the protectorate of New Zealand and is officially part of the kingdom. Tokelau are the most remote islands from the big land, in close proximity to which are only American Samoa (580 km to the southwest). The capital of the islands is located in the city of Atafu, which is also the largest population center of Tokelau. The total area of the three islets is no more than 10 square km. It is possible to get here only from Samoa, having overcome a voyage of many hours.
Climate and nature of Tokelau
The territory consists of three atoll islands - Nukunonu, Atofu and Fakaofo - which are essentially ring-shaped coral formations. The maximum height to which the atolls rise above the water level is 4 meters, a fact that makes the archipelago extremely vulnerable to the fickleness of nature. Every climatic change can be fatal, and even small fluctuations in the ocean level threaten flooding. The risk of disaster is particularly high in December and March, when hurricanes are not uncommon.
The last time the Tokelau Islands were close to disappearing was in 2005: Cyclone Percy triggered a massive storm that caused water to rush onto all three atolls from two sides. The flooding affected the concrete dykes built by the islanders and washed them away.
The soil on the islands is poor and not conducive to vigorous vegetation. Only a few shrubs and coconut palms grow on coral sands mixed with limestone soil.
Economic situation of Tokelau
The economy of the country is extremely dependent on New Zealand, which almost completely subsidizes the local budget. Poorly developed industry brings little income and does not cover even part of the cost of food, building materials and other vital needs of the islanders. Due to the unstable state of the soil it is impossible to develop agriculture in Tokelau, and therefore it is necessary to constantly import all goods, up to fresh water, which is imported from Samoa. Among the few sources of income for the islanders are the export of coconut copra, souvenirs, handicrafts and unique postage stamps. Until recently, the islands were popular among fishing enthusiasts, but with global changes in the ecosystem, income from the sale of licenses has declined.
Brief historical background
Since 1889 Tokelau were under the protectorate of the British Empire, later officially became a part of it, and since 1925 the political control over the islands was transferred to New Zealand. Since 2002, in the UN began to actively discuss the question of creating an independent state of Tokelau, in favor of this decision positively voted by the local parliament. But only four years later a referendum was held among the islanders, the decision on which, contrary to expectations, was negative. In 2007, the referendum was held again, but the decision was identical to the first one: the territory remained under New Zealand administration. The Head of Tokelau is Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, who is represented on the islands by the Governor.
Tokelau's way of life and peculiarities of everyday life
The total population on all three atolls is about 1,500. The most densely populated town has about 250 people. Almost all locals are descendants of Polynesians, brought here in the 18th century from nearby islands, as well as mestizo Polynesians with the British. Tokelaunians are extremely religious and spend a lot of time in churches. Tourists who have visited the islands, note the reverent attitude of the islanders to religious ceremonies, which is especially noticeable during Easter week. Almost 40% of the islanders profess Catholicism, the rest - different directions of Calvinism. There are two official languages on the islands - Tokelaun and English, Samoan is also very common.
Difficult living conditions and the lack of literally all the benefits of civilization dictate their own conditions for the islanders. The main spheres of activity for Tokelaun people are fishing, cultivation of coconuts, papaya, taro. Livestock farming is not widespread, although it also takes place.
The islanders live in small houses very close together, sometimes as close as an arm's length away. The houses have a simple but fairly modern appearance, and were built with financial support from New Zealand. Old Polynesian buildings have also been preserved on the islands.
Tokelau has a curfew, the essence of which is to observe silence in the evening (after 23:00) - due to religious beliefs. Order is enforced by the local police, whose officers patrol the islands every evening. By 6 p.m. on weekdays, everyone finishes work, prays and does household chores and rests until 9 p.m. On Sunday, work is strictly forbidden.
The scarcity of fresh water has shaped the culinary traditions of the people of Tokelau. Their daily diet includes various mineral supplements based on algae, from which they prepare useful decoctions. A common drink is kaleva, which is based on fermented coconut milk. Otherwise, the basis of the traditional diet is seafood, poultry and pork, and breadfruit. Semi-finished products and bottled drinks are imported from the big land.
A unique blend of archaic and modernity
The islands have a wonderful atmosphere of harmony and harmony that is rarely found anywhere else in the modern world. Mutual aid, common way of life, preservation of traditions - all this truly amazes visitors. A grand fishing party is regularly organized here, and all men without exception take part in it. The final catch is considered common and is divided equally among all islanders, regardless of who caught how much personally.
At first glance, life on Tokelau seems old-fashioned, but despite the physical remoteness from the civilized world, globalization has not bypassed the islands. Thus, on the island of Nukunonu there is a satellite dish, which provides residents with high-speed Internet. Tokelau even has its own domain - .tk, which, by the way, is among the most popular domains in the world.
Tokelau is the first country in the world that uses exclusively renewable energy sources for its needs. A complete switch to solar energy and biofuels was made in 2012, and the project was fully sponsored by the New Zealand government. The people of Tokelau demonstrate to the world that it is possible to live in harmony with nature without depleting its subsoil. Together with the high environmental friendliness of the solar power plants, they have achieved enormous savings on diesel imports, which other Pacific island countries still have to deal with.
