Tokelau Office Hands Over Key Conservation Reports and Resources

Apia, Samoa – 23 September 2025 – The Tokelau Office, together with some of its partners from the Government of Tokelau, Conservation International (CI) Samoa and the Samoa Conservation Society (SCS), marked a milestone event with the official handing over of A Polynesian Promise: Tokelau Rapid Biodiversity Expedition Report, New Zealand National Geographic Magazine, and the Tokelau Guardians Environmental Education Resources 2025.

The ceremony, held at the Tokelau Office in Apia, highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing conservation priorities for Tokelau’s people and ecosystems while simultaneously enhancing educational awareness programs among youth.

The Tokelau Rapid Biodiversity Expedition was undertaken at the request of Tokelau’s Economic Department of Natural Resources and Environment (EDNRE) to assess the state of biodiversity in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Over a decade had passed since the last biodiversity survey, and with growing environmental pressures, the need for updated data was urgent. As well as bringing the Samoa Environmental Education Guardians Resource for the Tokelau schools to experience and start a resource of their own.

The expedition would not have been made possible without the financial support from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Manaaki Program with co-financing from the Blackmore Foundation.

Representatives from Conservation International—Samoa, Samoa Conservation Society, Tokelau Office, and Minister of Education (Tokelau).

Despite a short window of just 5–7 days across Tokelau’s three atolls, Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo, the expedition team successfully collected critical data on Tokelau’s vast biodiversity ecosystems. The resulting report reflects the collaborative work of scientists and conservation practitioners who contributed their expertise in the following areas:

• Inshore: Lagoon Marine Biodiversity Survey – Ms. Samantha Kwan and Ms. Esmay Tanielu (CI Samoa)
• Offshore: Marine Biodiversity Surveys – Mr. Schannel van Dijken (CI Aotearoa)
• Terrestrial Biodiversity and Invasive Species Surveys – Ms. Moeumu Uili (SCS)
• Photogrammetry Citizen Science – Ms. Carla Fonseca Paris (CI Aotearoa)
• Environmental DNA (EDNA) Sampling – New Zealand Geographic
• Community Consultations and Education – Leausalilo Leilani Duffy (CI Samoa)
• Media Article and Virtual Reality Experiences – Ms. Carla Fonseca Paris (CI Aotearoa)

The expedition and subsequent report underscore Tokelau’s commitment to safeguarding its biodiversity while promoting environmental education.

The additional resources—Geographic Magazine and the Tokelau Guardians Education Resources 2025—further strengthen outreach and awareness, particularly among young Tokelauans who will inherit the role of guardianship over their natural heritage.

Speaking at the event, representatives from Tokelau and CI reaffirmed their collective vision of protecting Tokelau’s ecosystems for future generations while honouring cultural values of stewardship and respect for the environment.

Mr. Filipo Perez from the Tokelau Office stated that this expedition was “a matter of the heart that kept and continues to keep this impactful work going.”  An inspirational sentiment that the Tokelau Government along with its partners hope will ripple with every new generational wave.