Government and Politics

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; members drawn from the three atolls based on proportional representation and elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Atafu has 8 seats, Fakaofo has 7 seats, and Nukunonu has 6 seats); note — the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono, with the body responsible for policy-making and budgetary decisions within the territory's framework of self-governance under New Zealand administration. Elections: last held in January 2023 (next to be held in January 2026)
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau
Political Parties: none
Head of State: King CHARLES III, represented by the Governor-General of New Zealand
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: last held in January 2023 (next to be held in January 2026)
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.

the flag of New Zealand is used

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