New Zealand is building weather stations in Tokelau to assist with climate change research.
Nukunonu Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi today arrived in Nukunonu and said it would be the first atoll to house a station.
Metservice in New Zealand will monitor and analyse the data collected.
One of its electronic engineers visiting Tokelau, David Downer, said the station will help prepare for weather disasters.
"This weather station is quite a long way north in the Pacific so the forecasters can now accurately predict what's coming from North to South. Any cyclones, they'll obviously come here first."
Nukunonu's weather station will be installed within the next two months, while prospecting has begun for Atafu and Fakaofo.
In recent years, Tokelau has relied on weather forecasts from neighbouring Pacific Islands, Mr Downer said.
