Page last updated on January 28, 2014
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.
Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
total: 12 sq km
country comparison to the world: 242
land: 12 sq km
water: 0 sq km
about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 5 m
arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile)
permanent crops: 60%
other: 40% (2011)
lies in Pacific typhoon belt
limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand
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
noun: Tokelauan(s)
adjective: Tokelauan
Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English
Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%
note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant
1,353 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 236
0-14 years: 42%
15-64 years: 53%
65 years and over: 5% (2013 est.)
-0.01% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
urban population: 0% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
63.4% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 4
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2003)
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tokelau
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
none; each atoll has its own administrative center
time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
none (territory of New Zealand)
none (territory of New Zealand)
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Islands Act 1948); amended many times, last in 2007 (2012)
common law system of New Zealand
21 years of age; universal
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
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
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 19-21 January 2011 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: independents 20
highest court(s): Court of Appeal in New Zealand (consists of the court president and 8 judges sitting in 3- or 5-judge panels depending on the case)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Judicial Selection Committee and approved by three-quarters majority of the Parliament; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: High Court, in New Zealand; Council of Elders or Taupulega
PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU
none (territory of New Zealand)
none (territory of New Zealand)
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, in conjunction with the canoe, symbolizes the country navigating into the future; the color yellow indicates happiness and peace, and the blue field represents the ocean on which the community relies
tuluma (fishing tackle box)
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)
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.
$1.5 million (1993 est.)
country comparison to the world: 229
$1,000 (1993 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats; fish
small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing
440 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 232
revenues: $430,800
expenditures: $2.8 million (1987 est.)
$0 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 222
stamps, copra, handicrafts
$969,200 (2002)
country comparison to the world: 223
foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 191
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 (2009)
no TV stations; each atoll operates a radio service that provides shipping news and weather reports (2009)
2,069 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 162
800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 216
none; offshore anchorage only
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
