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	Tokelau System of Government Information
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Pacific Governments - Tokelau

GOVERNMENT OF TOKELAU

Country name:

• Tokelau

• None; each atoll has its own administrative centre

• Territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelauans are drafting a constitution, developing institutions and patterns of self-government as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand
• Former government: The Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889 and formed part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony between 1916 and 1926. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925.

• NA - Territory of NZ

Constitution:

• administered under the Tokelau Act of 1948, as amended.

Legal system:

• Certain British and NZ Acts of Parliament; Rules of the Tokelau General fono; British common law as at 14 January 1840.

(See Sources of Law for a complete overview)

Suffrage:

• 21 years of age; universal

Official Languages:

• Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English

(i) Executive Branch:

Head of State: the British monarch; the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator; the monarch is hereditary; Administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand.

Head of Government: the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term.

Cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders, one from each atoll, functions as a cabinet.

(ii) Legislative Branch:

Unicameral General Fono - 45 seats - 15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega to serve three-year terms); note - s.3A Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 (NZ) confers legislative power on the General Fono

(iii) Judicial Branch:

Court of Appeal (NZ); High Court (NZ); Village Councils

(See Court System for a full overview)

• NA