A handful of Tokelauans are heading home after months of waiting for the first repatriation flight since the Covid pandemic struck.
Nukunonu, Tokelau Photo: RNZ PACIFIC / MACKENZIE SMITH
While Tokelauans had recently been able to return home from neighbouring Samoa, there had been no contact with those further afield, until now.
In August, Samoa's Government opened up the way for Tokelau residents to come home from New Zealand via their only connection, Apia.
This came as welcome news for the over 100 people stranded by border restrictions.
One such person was 55 year old, Feleti Tulafono.
Feleti Tulafono Photo: Elena Pasilio
Tokelau's Director of Fisheries initially came to New Zealand for medical treatment via a health referral.
He said he had been waiting for three months to go home and for the Tokelau administration and Samoan government to iron things out.
"They were currently undergoing some negotiations with the Government of Samoa in how Tokelau residents could be repatriated through Samoa because Samoa is our windown to the outside world."
Tulafono's flight departed Auckland on Friday and he will have to spend at least 14 days quarantined in Samoa before heading home.
He couldn't wait to return to Tokelau.
"Being with families and getting back to the normal Tokelau way of life which is very quite different from life here in New Zealand, just a little laid back and relaxing lifestyle with the community and helping out with the community."
Tulafono was taking back a lot of Covid lessons with him.
"I arrived here when Auckland was in Level Four so we came straight to quarantine and the isolation and it's really given me a good look into how well New Zealand has prepared herself in responding to the pandemic."
Tulafono wanted to share what he had learnt with government collegues in the hope that Tokelau could remain Covid-free.
He was joined on the flight by Matulino Tale Tegei, who had a slightly different route.
The 40 year old is a student at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji who heard the news of the opportunity to get home via Auckland and then Samoa.
He said he was elated, after waiting to go home for eight months.
Tegei had also learnt a lot about the pandemic.
"Everyone has to be patient, well prepared, so when this happens again in the future we know what to do.
"Above all things we need to follow the instructions given by the government. Stay home, stay safe, to prevent the pandemic from spreading to others. It's good to stay home and make other people safe."
Tegei returns to Tokelau, a New Zealand dependecy, with a grateful heart.
"Just want to thank the government of New Zealand for looking after us, especially the administrator and all our families, whoever is watching, thank you for your prayers, finally we are going home. Thank you."
Matulino Tale Tegei Photo: Elena Pasilio
The two spoke to Tokelaun journalist, Elena Pasilio, just before departing for Samoa along with close to 300 Samoans.
They are now in Apia, fulfilling their quarantine requirements.
Two more flights with seats available to repatriate Tokelauns, are scheduled for next month