Tokelau
NAIndependence none (territory of New Zealand)
Tokelau as the 2012 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 89 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval.
Geography
Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
17 fieldsLand useshare of 12 sq km
Location
Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Environment - current issues
limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand
Geography - note
consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level
People and Society
23 fieldsPer 1,000 population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total:
- 12 years
- male:
- 12 years
- female:
- 13 years (2003)
Government
NA; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Foua TOLOA (since 21 February 2009)
21 fieldsDependency status
- self-administering territory of New Zealand;
- note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand;
- a UN-sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status
Capital
none; each atoll has its own administrative center; time difference: UTC+14 (19 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952);
- represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006);
- New Zealand is represented by Administrator Jonathan KINGS (since February 2011)
- head of government:
- Foua TOLOA (since 21 February 2009); note - position rotates annually among the 3 Faipule (village leaders)
- cabinet:
- the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of 3 Faipule (village leaders) and 3 Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- elections:
- the monarchy is hereditary;
- governor general appointed by the monarch;
- administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand;
- the head of government chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term
Legislative branch
- unicameral General Fono (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms based upon proportional representation from the three islands - Atafu has 7 seats, Fakaofo has 7 seats, Nukunonu has 6 seats);
- note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power to the General Fono
- elections:
- last held on 17-19 January 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
- election results:
- independents 20
Flag description
- a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward the manu - the Southern Cross constellation of four, white, five-pointed stars at the hoist side;
- the Southern Cross represents the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture and symbolizes the country's navigating into the future, the color yellow indicates happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on which the community relies
National anthem
- name:
- "Te Atua" (For the Almighty)
- lyrics/music:
- unknown/Falani KALOLO
note: adopted 2008; in preparation for eventual self governance, Tokelau held a national contest to choose an anthem; as a territory of New Zealand,
"God Defend New Zealand" and "God Save the Queen" are official (see New Zealand)
Economy
Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level.
18 fieldsEconomy - overview
Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $10 million annually in 2008 and 2009 - to maintain public services.
New Zealand's support amounts to 80% of Tokelau's recurrent government budget. An international trust fund, currently worth nearly US$32 million, was established in 2004 to provide Tokelau an independent source of revenue. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.
Exchange rates
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.289 (2012) · 1.263 (2011) · 1.3874 (2010) · 1.6002 (2009) · 1.4151 (2008)
Energy
1 fieldCommunications
5 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- modern satellite-based communications system
- domestic:
- radiotelephone service between islands
- international:
- country code - 690;
- radiotelephone service to Samoa;
- government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok);
- satellite earth stations - 3
Broadcast media
no TV stations; each atoll operates a radio service that provides shipping news and weather reports (2009)
Transportation
1 fieldMilitary
1 fieldTransnational Issues
1 fieldDisputes - international
Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Tokelau.” The World Factbook 2012. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/tokelau/2012.