World Factbook
Tokelau
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: a stylized yellow Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward four white five-pointed stars on the left side meaning: the stars are the Southern Cross constellation and represent the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture; the stars and canoe together symbolize the country navigating into the future; yellow stands for happiness and peace, and blue for the ocean
Capital
note
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)
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see New Zealand
Constitution
note
note: Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory and has been administered by New Zealand since 1926; Tokelau is considered "part of New Zealand” under the Tokelau Act 1948, and Tokelauans are New Zealand citizens; in the mid-2000s Tokelau held two referenda on becoming self-governing in free association with New Zealand; the first vote was held in February 2006 but narrowly missed the two-thirds majority required for a change of status, as did a second vote held in 2007; since the self-government referenda, Tokelau has put questions about its constitutional status on hold; it remains a territory of New Zealand but exercises a substantial degree of self-government
history
many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Act 1948 of New Zealand)
amendment process
proposed as a resolution by the General Fono; passage requires support by each village and approval by the General Fono
Country name
former
Union Islands, Tokelau Islands
etymology
the name comes from the Polynesian word tokelau , meaning "north wind;" the name "Tokelau Islands" was adopted in 1946, and the shortened form in 1976
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Tokelau
Independence
none (territory of New Zealand)
Legal system
common law system of New Zealand
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (in New Zealand) (consists of the court president and 8 judges sitting in 3- or 5-judge panels, depending on the case)
subordinate courts
High Court (in New Zealand); Council of Elders or Taupulega
judge selection and term of office
judges nominated by the Judicial Selection Committee and approved by three-quarters majority of the Parliament; judges serve for life
Executive branch
note
note: the meeting place of the Tokelau Council and the head of government position rotates annually among the three atolls; this tradition has given rise to the somewhat misleading description that the capital rotates yearly between the three atolls, but Tokelau has no capital
cabinet
Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (or Tokelau Council) functions as a cabinet; consists of 3 village leaders (Faipule) and 3 village mayors (Pulenuku)
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 September 2021); New Zealand is represented by Administrator Don HIGGINS (since June 2022)
head of government
(Ulu o Tokelau) Esera Fofō Filipo Tuisano TUISANO (since 17 March 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; head of government chosen from the Council of Faipule to serve a 1-year term
National holiday
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840)
note: Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand
Dependency status
Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand and part of the Realm of New Zealand; Tokelau has its own political institutions, judicial system, public services (including telecommunications and shipping), and budget control
National color(s)
blue, yellow, white
Political parties
none
Legislative branch
term in office
3 years
number of seats
20
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
General Fono (Fono Fakamua)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
26 January 2023
expected date of next election
January 2026
percentage of women in chamber
15%
parties elected and seats per party
independents (20)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
official anthem, as a territory of New Zealand; normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
tuluma (fishing tackle box)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of New Zealand)
International organization participation
PIF (associate member), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU