Tokelau Government 1997

Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form : Tokelau

Data code TL

Dependency status territory of New Zealand

Government type NA

National capital none; each atoll has its own administrative center

Administrative divisions none (territory of New Zealand)

Independence none (territory of New Zealand)

National holiday Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established Britishsovereignty over New Zealand)

Constitution administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970

Legal system British and local statutes

Suffrage 21 years of age

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952); the queen andNew Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March1993)
head of government: Official Secretary Brian LAWRENCE (since NA)
cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of the elected leaders from eachatoll, functions as a cabinet
elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed bythe Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand

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 who meet togethertwice a year)

Judicial branch High Court in Niue; Supreme Court in New Zealand

Political parties and leaders none

International organization participation SPC, WHO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of New Zealand)

Flag description the flag of New Zealand is used

NOTE: The information regarding Tokelau on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Tokelau Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Tokelau Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.