Area
12
sq km
Government
Tokelau Government
Population
1,357
Latest
population
Tokelau
Political parties
The politics of Tokelau takes place within a framework of a parliamentary
representative democratic dependency. The head of state of Tokelau
is Queen Elizabeth II in right of her Realm of New Zealand, who
is represented by an Administrator (as of 2016, Linda Te Puni).
The monarch is hereditary, the administrator is appointed by the
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The head of government is Afega Gaualofa, 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.
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. Faipule and pulenuku
(atoll leaders and village mayors) also sit in the Fono.
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