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Thepolitics of Tokelau takes place within a framework of aparliamentaryrepresentative democracy that is adependent territory of New Zealand. The head of state ofTokelau is KingCharles IIIin right of New Zealand. Anadministrator (as of 2022,Don Higgins) is appointed by the New ZealandMinister of Foreign Affairs and Trade to represent theNew Zealand Government.
TheUlu-o-Tokelau is thehead of government and presides over theCouncil for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, which functions as a cabinet. The office of Ulu rotates between the threefaipule for a one-year term.[1] The current Ulu isEsera Fofō Tuisano.[2][3][4] The Council consists of thefaipule (leader) andpulenuku (village mayor) of each of the three atolls.[1]
The Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on theGeneral Fono, a unicameral body. The number of seats each atoll receives in the Fono is determined by population – currently Fakaofo and Atafu each have seven and Nukunonu has six.[1]Faipule andpulenuku also sit in the Fono.[1]
On 11 November 2004, Tokelau and New Zealand took steps to formulate a treaty that would transform Tokelau from a New Zealand territory to an entity that is infree association with New Zealand. Besides drafting a treaty, aUnited Nations-sponsored "act ofself-determination" had to take place.The referendum, supervised by the UN, started on 11 February 2006 and finished on 15 February 2006. Although a 60% majority voted in favour of the proposal, a two-thirds majority was required for the referendum to succeed, so Tokelau remained a New Zealand territory. In June 2006, Kolouei O'Brien announced that the Fono had agreed to hold another referendum.[5]This second referendum took place between 20 and 24 October 2007 and again fell short of the two-thirds majority required for independence, with 64% voting in favour.[6] In April 2008, speaking as leader of theNational Party, future New Zealand Prime MinisterJohn Key stated that New Zealand had "imposed two referenda on the people of the Tokelau Islands" and questioned "the accepted wisdom that small states should undergo a de-colonisation process".[7]
The Administrator of Tokelau is appointed by the New Zealand Government and is the head of the executive branch of Tokelau. Since 1994, however, most powers relating to the day-to-day functions of the government have been transferred to institutions which are chosen by the Tokelauan people. A notable exception is the administration of Tokelau'sexclusive economic zone.[8]
Since 1 June 2022, the current Administrator isDon Higgins, who "has previously served as High Commissioner in Solomon Islands and Kiribati, and as an Adviser to the Tokelau Administrator from 2012 to 2014."[9]
The Ulu-o-Tokelau (or Ulu) is the titularhead of government and chairs the Council for the Ongoing Government.[10] The office rotates among the threefaipule (atoll leaders) each year and the seat of government changes to the atoll of the incumbent Ulu.[11] As of 17 March 2025, the Ulu isEsera Fofō Tuisano.[2][3][4]
The Office of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (OCOG) is tasked with managing Tokelau's foreign affairs, providing support and advice to national leaders, and working with villages to develop and implement national programs and activities. The OCOG is based inApia, Samoa.[12] The OCOG also links together the traditional village-based governing structure and the national government.[10]
Members of the OCOG are the threefaipule and threepulenuku (mayors). Members meet while the General Fono is out of session to continue governing the islands.[10]
The legislative branch of the Tokelau government is theGeneral Fono. It is composed of twenty seats allocated among the three atolls based on population. In 2008, Atafu received seven seats while Fakaofo and Nukunonu each received six.[10]
The General Fono meets for three session per year, with each session lasting around four days. Members of the General Fono elect their Chairman.[10] The Chairman for 2019 is Stanley Lopa, while the deputy chair is Sakaria Sakaio.[11]
The Tokelau Amendment Act, passed by the New Zealand Parliament in 1996, granted the General Fono the ability to pass laws which helped maintain "the peace, order, and good government of Tokelau", including the ability to levy taxes.[10] New Zealand law does not automatically apply to Tokelau, and any bill seeking to be applied in Tokelau must specifically extend its authority to the islands. No law passed by the New Zealand Parliament has ever been extended to Tokelau without Tokelauan consent.[10]
Elections are held in Tokelau every three years. Voters choose members of the General Fono, onefaipule for each atoll, and onepulenuku for each atoll.[10] The2023 Tokelauan general election was held on 26 January 2023.
