World Factbook
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the green field features a yellow anchor with a Bible over it (both were on the HMS Bounty ); a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow is on the crest, with a flowering twig of miro (a local plant) meaning: the green, yellow, and blue of the shield represents the island rising from the ocean
Capital
name
Adamstown
etymology
named after John ADAMS (1767–1829), the last survivor of the Bounty mutineers who settled on Pitcairn Island in 1790
time difference
UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
25 04 S, 130 05 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal with three years of residency
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Constitution
history
several previous; latest drafted 10 February 2010, presented 17 February 2010, effective 4 March 2010
Country name
etymology
named after English midshipman Robert PITCAIRN, who first sighted the island in 1767
conventional long form
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form
Pitcairn Islands
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Legal system
local island by-laws
Government type
parliamentary democracy
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond the Pitcairn Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
highest court(s)
Pitcairn Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, 2 judges, and the Supreme Court chief justice, an ex-officio member); Pitcairn Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 judges)
subordinate courts
Magistrate's Court
judge selection and term of office
all judges of both courts appointed by the governor of the Pitcairn Islands on the instructions of the British monarch through the Secretary of State; all judges can serve until retirement, normally at age 75
Executive branch
cabinet
none
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Iona THOMAS (since 9 August 2022)
election results
Shawn CHRISTIAN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council
head of government
Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Shawn CHRISTIAN (since 5 November 2025)
most recent election date
5 November 2025
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor directly elected by majority popular vote for a 3-year term
expected date of next election
November 2028
National holiday
Official birthday of King Charles III, usually celebrated the second Saturday in June (1948); Discovery Day (Pitcairn Day), 2 July (1767)
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
note
note: the Council includes 5 councilors, the mayor, and the deputy mayor (who are elected by popular vote) and 3 ex officio non-voting members -- the administrator, who serves as both the head of government and the representative of the governor of Pitcairn Islands, the governor, and the deputy governor
term in office
2 years note: the councilors and the deputy mayor serve 2-year terms, the mayor serves a 3-year term, and the administrator is appointed by the governor for an indefinite term
number of seats
10 (directly elected and appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Island Council
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
6 November 2019
expected date of next election
N/A
percentage of women in chamber
60%
parties elected and seats per party
independent (5)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a UK overseas territory
lyrics/music
unknown
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of the UK)
International organization participation
SPC, UPU