The MV Tokelau was an inter-island ferry which served as Tokelau's main transport connection to the world from 1991 to 2012.
The ship was built in 1991 as a 19m catamaran for use within Tokelau.[1] In 2000 it was converted to a mono-hull and lengthened to 30m in order to run an Apia to Tokelau service.[1]
In 2003 the Tokelau rescued two Tokelauan fishermen missing near Atafu.[2] In 2005 it delivered aid to Tokelau in the aftermath of Cyclone Percy.[3] In 2007 the vessel broke down in Fakaofo and its passengers and cargo had to be transport by the American Samoan government vessel, MV Sili.[4] In 2010 three men drowned when the boat they were using to ferry cargo to the Tokelau capsized in rough seas off Atafu.[5]
Concerns about the ship's age began to be raised in 2006, and the Tokelauan government request the government of New Zealand to purchase a replacement.[6] The request was repeated following the Princess Ashika disaster in 2009.[1][7][8] The New Zealand government commissioned a report, but took no other action.[9] In 2012, following a direct appeal from the Ulu-o-Tokelau Kerisiano Kalolo[10] the New Zealand government agreed to fund the construction of a new ferry, and to lease a replacement in the interim.[11][12] In February 2016 the vessel was finally replaced by the MV Mataliki.[13]
In 2013 the ship was gifted to the government of Samoa as it was no longer considered fit to ferry passengers.[14][15] It was operated by the Samoa Shipping Corporation as the MV Pasefika Express to transport passengers and cargo between Upolu and Savai'i until it was sold to a private owner in October 2022.[16]