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Tokelau - Government

Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand. Tokelau wishes to move toward greater self-governance and is supported in this by the Government of New Zealand and the UN Special Committee on Decolonization. The 'modem house of Tokelau' is the product of a major initiative that aims toward self-govermnent: it provides a governance structure that fits the cultural contel't and increases Tokelau's capacity to manage its own affairs in a more sustainable fashion.

An elected Council (Executive Council) works through a General Fono approval system (Parliament) which comprises representatives of the Taupulega (Village Council of Elders), Fatupaepae (Women's Group) and Aumaga I Taulealea (Men's Group).

The Administrator of Tokelau, who is a New Zealand Government official, is responsible for the executive government of Tokelau (refer Administrator's page). The exercise of this power is subject to the control of the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade who holds the final say in major decisions where the New Zealand Government is responsible for Tokelau - such as the approval of the annual budget presented to General Fono (National Assembly).

Administrative and legislative powers of the Administrator of Tokelau are formally delegated to the three Taupulega (Village Council of Elders) of Tokelau as the highest authority. Authority for national issues is re-delegated to the General Fono to deal with issues beyond those properly undertaken by each village alone. Consistent with this power structure is a devolution of most public service delivery to the villages. In each village a General Manager along with other staff members, including teachers and medical staff, support each Taupulega in their government functions. National-level administration is primarily done by the national public service, most of which is based in Apia.

The General Fono consists of the Faipule (village leader) and Pulenuku (village mayor) of each village along with one delegate for every 100 inhabitants of that village, based on the latest available population count rounded to the nearest 100 inhabitants. There are currently 20 members. Eight ministerial portfolios are held by the six members of the Council for the Ongoing Government for a period of three years.

The Council carries out executive business when the General Fono is not in session, and is required to report back to the General Fono. Council members include the three Faipule and one General Fono delegate from each village who is designated by the Taupulega. The Council is chaired by the Ulu o Tokelau (titular head) whose term is for one year and, on a rotating basis, is the Faipule from Atafu, Nukunonu or Fakaofo.

The people of Tokelau headed to the polls on 23 January 2020 to elect the territory's tenth government. Residents on the atolls of Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu - as well as tagata Tokelau based in Apia in Samoa - were eligible to cast votes. Five of the current six-member council were seeking re-election. The Ulu o Tokelau, Kelihiano Kalolo, urged voters to participate. "We acknowledge the hard work of the village election committees, the national electoral office and all those involved in preparing our communities to take part in a fair and peaceful election. Tokelau mo te Atua." As part of the ninth Tokelau government over the past three years, he said much had been achieved in terms of development and infrastructure. He also underlined the "re-consolidation of the relationship" between Tokelau and New Zealand highlighted by the visit of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Tokelau last year.