Wellington - An influenza epidemic has struck more than one in 10 people living on the three remote atolls of Tokelau in the South Pacific, which calls itself the last paradise on earth, health authorities in New Zealand reported on Tuesday.

Most of the 150 people affected are children and the New Zealand Ministry of Health sent a nurse with an official from the World Health Organisation to the isolated territory with vaccines and to obtain sample swabs so that the strain of influenza can be identified.

The ministry said the school on Atafu atoll, which has a population of nearly 600, has been closed, all public gatherings banned and sick people advised to stay at home.

The epidemic has spread rapidly, with the first case being reported on March 16, a statement said.

Set halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, Tokelau's three main atolls cover only about 12 square kilometres of land spread over 160 square kilometres of ocean.

It has no airport and its nearly 1,500 residents are a 28-hour boat ride away from their nearest neighbours in Samoa.

Tokelau is a territory of New Zealand and its people have rejected self-government in two referendums over the last three years.

Nearly 8,000 exiles live in New Zealand where they have citizenship. (dpa)