NZ and Tokelau - 'high-handed neo-colonialism'

An academic says New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry has no business controlling Tokelau because it’s a realm state.

Under New Zealand’s direction, Tokelau has suffered restrictions on its capital spending and has been forced to suspend two public servants this year.

The University of Auckland’s John McCaffery said a 2010 parliamentary report on New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific made it clear that  there needed to be change in how realm countries are treated.

McCaffery told producer Mack Smith that New Zealand’s recent involvement in Tokelau were an affront to the nation and unconstitutional.