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Government and Politics of Tokelau
Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Tokelau.
Government Structure
Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.
- Government Type
- NA
- Administrative Divisions
- none (territory of New Zealand)
- Legal System
- New Zealand and local statutes
- Suffrage
- 21 years of age; universal
- Citizenship
- see New Zealand
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by the Governor-General of New Zealand; New Zealand is represented by an Administrator appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade head of government: the head of government is the Ulu o Tokelau, a position that rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders) of Atafu, Fakaofo, and Nukunonu cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the Administrator is appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the Ulu o Tokelau is chosen from among the three Faipule and serves a one-year term, rotating among the three atolls
- Legislative Branch
- unicameral General Fono (21 seats; based upon proportional representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Nukunonu has 6 seats, Fakaofo has 7 seats, Atafu has 8 seats); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono elections: last held January 2005 (next to be held January 2008)
- Judicial Branch
- Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau
- Political Parties
- none
- Head of State
- Queen ELIZABETH II
- Head of Government
- Foura Toloa
- Cabinet
- the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet
- Elections
- the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term
- Constitution
- administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970
- Independence
- none (territory of New Zealand)
- National Holiday
- Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
- International Organization Participation
- UNESCO (associate), WHO (associate)
- Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.
- none (territory of New Zealand)
- U.S. Diplomatic Representation
- none (territory of New Zealand)
Capital City
Seat of government and political history.
- Capital City
- note: there is no designated, official capital for Tokelau; the location of the capital rotates among the three atolls along with the head of government or Ulu o Tokelau
- Time Difference
- UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Military
Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.
- Military Branches
- defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
National Symbols
Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.
