Weather Ready Pacific Sets Sail for Tokelau: SPREP Leads Historical Multi-Agency Climate and Resilience Mission to One of the World's Most Remote Island Communities

28 April 2026 Apia, Samoa - A team of 40 people, 35 staff from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and partner organisations, and five Tokelau Government Officials, has departed Matautu Wharf in Apia, Samoa, aboard the MV Mataliki, bound for Tokelau. The vessel is expected to arrive at the first of Tokelau's three atolls, Fakaofo today.

This landmark voyage funded by UK WISER under the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme, marks the launch of a comprehensive, multi-agency mission to support Tokelau, one of the Pacific's smallest and most isolated territories, in strengthening its climate resilience, disaster risk management, and sustainable development.

The mission is led by SPREP under the WRP, with the participation and support of a broad coalition of United Nations agencies, regional scientific bodies, and the Governments of Samoa and Tokelau.

The mission to Tokelau is a coalition of regional and international expertise. Joining SPREP staff on board the MV Mataliki are representatives from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) of Australia, Earth Science New Zealand (ESNZ), the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as officials from the Government of Samoa and Tokelau Government Officials.

“We are delighted to welcome SPREP and its partners to Tokelau. This mission means a great deal to our people, Tokelau's remoteness has always made it difficult to access the level of technical support and expertise that our communities need, and having such a dedicated and experienced team make this journey to be here with us speaks volumes,” said Director of Tokelau Met Services, Ms Asifangalua Pasilio.

“We look forward to working closely with all of the organisations on board to strengthen our meteorological services and build the resilience of Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu for generations to come.”

Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand comprising three low-lying coral atolls: Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu. With a combined population of approximately 1,500 people spread across these three low lying atolls, Tokelau relies almost entirely on external support for technical expertise, equipment, and capacity development. Internet connectivity is limited, and the logistical complexity of coordinating any multi-agency visit is considerable. Access by sea can take between 24-40 hours from Apia, depending on vessel capabilities, and weather and ocean conditions.

It was these unique challenges that led to the chartering of the MV Mataliki a priority. Meaningful engagement with Tokelau is best achieved through face-to-face visits on atolls to best understand their challenges and needs.
 
"SPREP is delighted to lead and support this historical mission to Tokelau. I am particularly encouraged to see that the Weather Ready Pacific Programme, established by the Pacific Leaders to coordinate and be that vehicle for the delivery of Early Warning Systems in the Pacific,” said Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, Director General of SPREP.

“We continue to support our members and for us this Mission is a special one, as we reach one of the most isolated and hard to get to islands communities on the planet. It is our privilege to support and coordinate this Mission with our regional and global partners to ensure Tokelau is not left behind and that they are weather ready and climate resilient.”

Each organisation on the mission culminates a broad range of specialised expertise and support for Tokelau, working alongside the Taupulega, the traditional governing councils, of Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu. The involvement of Tokelau Government Officials as part of the core team reflects the spirit of partnership and self-determination that underpins the entire mission.

"Tokelau is a place unlike any other in the Pacific, and this mission represents a truly unique opportunity to work alongside communities that face some of the most pressing climate and environmental challenges in the world. I am incredibly excited to be part of this team and to contribute Earth Science New Zealand's expertise directly on the ground,” said Ms Molly Powers-Tora of Earth Science New Zealand (ESNZ) who is among the participants joining the Mission to Tokelau.

“Visits like this don't happen often - the remoteness of Tokelau means that every moment we have with the Taupulega and local communities is precious, and we are committed to making the most of it.”

Over the course of the multi-day mission across all three atolls, the teams will carry out a wide range of activities tailored to the specific needs and priorities of Tokelau. This includes the installation, maintenance, and calibration of weather monitoring and early warning equipment to strengthen Tokelau's national meteorological observing capacity; climate and disaster risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities across each atoll and inform national planning; and community and government consultations with the Taupulega of Fakaofo, Nukunonu, and Atafu. This will ensure all activities are guided by local knowledge, customs, and adhering to the local governance structures.

The Weather Ready Pacific Program will also be launching seven COPE Hazard preparation booklets for children translated to the Tokelau Language (Gagana Faka-Tokelau) on the three main islands of Tokelau. This is an activity which WRP has supported and coordinated with the World Meteorological Organisation and the COPE Secretariat.

During the mission Tokelau Met Service will be conducting its first ever National Climate Outlooks Forum supported by the World Meteorological Organisation and SPREP.

WRP in partnership with its implementing technical agency ESNZ will also be deploying ocean monitoring equipment (RBR pressure sensors) as its initial activity in supporting a wider Coastal Flooding Forecasting Project for Tokelau. During the mission WRP will also follow-up on other early warning priorities of the Government of Tokelau including A national FM Radio Broadcasting Service and a dedicated MET Office facility for Tokelau for potential support.

Team safety briefing aboard the MV Mataliki PC: Molly Powers-Tora

"Tokelau presents challenges unlike almost anywhere else in the Pacific. It has no airport, no deep-water harbour, and no regular freight or passenger services beyond a periodic supply vessel from Samoa. It is, by almost any measure, one of the most remote and difficult-to-access territories in the word – this is why this mission matters so much, we are ensuring Tokelau receives the same level of support and expertise as any other Pacific community. We were not going to let geography be a barrier to that," said Mr 'Ofa Fa'anunu, WRPP Programme Manager.

"Chartering the MV Mataliki and bringing together a team of 40 people from across our regional and international partner organisations was not a small undertaking, but it is the right one. There is no other way to do this work properly. You have to be there, you have to see the atolls, understand the conditions, and sit with the Taupulega and communities to truly grasp what is needed and how the Weather Ready Pacific Programme can be most effective in supporting Tokelau's Meteorological Services now and into the future."

The 7-day voyage will rely heavily on favourable weather and sea conditions. The journey across open ocean between Samoa and Tokelau, and between the three atolls, requires careful monitoring of weather patterns and close coordination with maritime authorities.

SPREP and its partners remain committed to the safety and wellbeing of every team member as the highest priority throughout the mission. The full mission team is fully prepared for the journey. Every measure has been taken to ensure the safety of all on board, including pre-departure health and safety briefings, emergency response planning, and continuous weather monitoring throughout the voyage. The team's collective experience in Pacific field missions, combined with the knowledge and professionalism of the MV Mataliki crew, provides a strong foundation for a safe and successful mission.

With the MV Mataliki now under way, the team is expected to arrive at Fakaofo, Tokelau's southernmost atoll, by Tuesday before continuing to Nukunonu and Atafu over the days that follow. The voyage will return to Apia on Saturday, May 2 and expect to disembark in Apia on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

About the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme

The WRP Programme is a Pacific-led, Pacific-owned decadal Programme of Investment endorsed by Pacific Leaders. Implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), WRP aims to reduce the human and economic costs of severe weather, water, and ocean events across Pacific Island communities by strengthening National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partnerships with National Disaster Management Offices. Since 2023, WRP is designated the primary regional vehicle for delivering the United Nations Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in the Pacific. The programme is supported by the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

For more information, please contact:
Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Manager, WRP Programme - [email protected] 
Ms Angelica Salele-Sefo, Communications & Knowledge Management Officer, WRPP – [email protected]