Politics of Tokelau

Politics of Tokelau
Administrator Don Higgins Head of Government Alapati Tavite General Fono Council for the Ongoing Government Recent elections General: 2017 2020 2023 Referendums: 2006 2007
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The politics of Tokelau takes place within a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency. The head of state of Tokelau is King Charles III in right of his Realm of New Zealand, who is represented by an Administrator (as of 2022, Don Higgins). The monarch is hereditary, the Administrator is appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The current head of government (Tokelauan: Ulu-o-Tokelau) is Alapati Tavite,^[1] who presides over the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, which functions as a cabinet. The Council consists of the faipule (leader) and pulenuku (village mayor) of each of the three atolls. The office of head of government rotates between the three faipule for a one-year term.^[2]

The Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers legislative power on the General Fono, a unicameral body. The number of seats each atoll receives in the Fono is determined by population — Fakaofo and Atafu each have eight and Nukunonu has seven.^[2] Faipule and pulenuku (atoll leaders and village mayors) also sit in the Fono.^[2]