rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Interestingly, consumption during celebrations
accounted for only 4 per cent of the
total annual volume of alcohol consumed.
This suggests ‘celebrations’ or ‘ceremonies’
were not a key contributing factor in the
greater individual annual rates of consumption
among Pacific Island peoples. 801
In a 1997 study of Pacific peoples in New
Zealand, including people of Tokelauan ethnicity,
the possible link between the kava
circle and patterns of alcohol consumption
was highlighted. 802 Specifically the notion
of a ‘barman’ directing drinking in the ‘circle’
was cited by Tokelauans; this is despite
noting that kava is reportedly not used in
Tokelau. 803 A 2004 WHO report also noted
a lack of kava-type ceremony in consumption
of locally produced liquor in Tokelau,
compared to other Pacific Island countries. 804
No other reports relating to the consumption
of non-beverage alcohol, kava, betel
or inhalants among Tokelauans have been
identified.
14.5 Local responses
Legislation
New Zealand has ratified the United Nations
conventions on drugs with a declaration they
will apply to Tokelau. The Tokelau Customs
Regulations 1991–94 incorporate the definitions
of psychotropic drugs in accordance
with Schedules I, II, III and IV of the 1961
and 1971 UN conventions. Section 25 of the
Tokelau Customs Regulations specifies it is
an offence to import any of the substances
or plants captured by these definitions. 805
Penalties include imprisonment or fines of up
to NZ$1000. The legislation includes standard
exceptions for use by medical practitioners
in the course of their employment. 806
165
801 Ibid.
802 New Zealand Ministry of Health (1997), The Place of Alcohol in the Lives of People from Tokelau,
Fiji, Niue, Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa Living in New Zealand: an overview. ALAC Research
Monograph Series, no.2. Wellington: ALAC (accessed online November 2008); the link was first
identified in a 1967 study by E. Lemert: Secular use of kava in Tonga. Quarterly Journal of
Studies on Alcohol, 28(2): 328-341.
803 ALAC, ibid.
804 WHO above, fn.782.
805 ‘Psychotropic drug’ means: any substance (natural or synthetic) or preparation for the time being
specified or referred to in Schedule I, II, III or IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs,
New York, 30 March 1961.
806 Tokelau Customs Regulations, section 25: Offence to import prohibited plant or
psychotropic drug.
Tokelau