With the tide beneath him and his daughter Ollyshia by his side, Esera Fofō Filipo Tuisano made the short yet deeply symbolic boat journey from Fenuafala, Fakaofo to the islet of Falē. This quiet crossing, from the outer islet, home to Tokelau’s main hospital and school, to the spiritual and political seat of its people, marked a ceremonial and personal return. It was here, before the assembled elders and dignitaries, that Tuisano was formally sworn in as Ulu o Tokelau, the rotating Head of Government of this Pacific atoll nation.
By Losa Huntington
FAKAOFO, TOKELAU: As he stepped onto the shores of Falē, he was met with representatives from other islets of Atafu and Nukunonu to perform Tokelau’s sacred inauguration ceremony, the Fakanofoga, an affirmation of cultural strength, communal leadership, and enduring ties between the islands.
In his inaugural address, Tuisano was candid, warm, and heartfelt : “Tokelau is my heart and soul. It is the place where I was raised, the place where I learned to serve. Everything I do is for the betterment of our people.”
Tuisano brings both experience and humility to the role. Having served previously as Ulu during the COVID-19 pandemic, and currently as the Faipule of Fakaofo, his return to the national leadership seat is marked by a sense of continuity and steady stewardship. He began his career in public service working on waste management initiatives, eventually becoming known as a “waste champion” for his efforts to improve environmental health in the community.
“I never thought I’d end up here, in this role,” he reflected. “But leadership, in our Tokelau way, is not about climbing ladders, it’s about listening, being patient, and helping the village move forward together.”
The Ulu o Tokelau is chosen on a rotating basis among the three atolls, a system that emphasizes equal voice and unity in governance. It’s a model that fits with Tuisano’s own collaborative style.
The ceremony was attended by key officials including the Administrator of Tokelau, Don Higgins, who praised Tuisano’s leadership style as one of “humility, strength, and humour.”
As Tokelau faces rising sea levels, outmigration, and the growing complexities of modern governance in a remote setting, Tuisano’s leadership will be tested on multiple fronts. Yet his message to the next generation was one of pride and cultural affirmation.
“To our young people, I want to say this: you carry the future of Tokelau. Hold on to our cultures and values. Be strong, be proud Tokelauans. The world will challenge you, but never forget where you come from.”
Tuisano’s return to the helm of Tokelau is not simply a political moment, it is a cultural reaffirmation of collective leadership rooted in identity and place. The vaka that carried him from Fenuafala to Falē may have traveled only a short distance, but it marked a profound transition: from son of the atoll to steward of a nation.
Additional Sources: RNZ / Lydia Lewis/ Elena Pasilio
The New Atoll 
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